Roger Goodell says the NFL is considering adding a second Black Friday game as part of broader scheduling changes aimed at creating more standalone viewing windows. He told the Wall Street Journal the league is reviewing “everything” and expects changes in the future.
However, the plan faces legal and logistical hurdles due to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which restricts Friday night and Saturday broadcasts during part of the season to protect high school and college football. Adding a second Black Friday game could run into these limits if games extend into Friday night.
There’s also concern that oversaturating Friday with NFL games could dilute viewership, a problem college football has faced with crowded Friday schedules. Despite this, Goodell appears unconcerned about competition for viewers.
The NFL continues to push the idea that any night of the week is viable for games—with Thursday Night Football, annual Christmas games, and past experiments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. While Goodell didn’t detail all potential changes, the league is clearly looking to expand into more exclusive broadcast windows, including possible additional Friday, midweek, and international games.