The Miami Dolphins’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be moved to a different date or city thanks to the approach of Hurricane Irma, and that could lead to broadcast changes as well. Current forecasts have the hurricane’s outer edges hitting South Florida Sunday, which could cause problems for the game, slated for the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens at 1 p.m. that day. Adam H. Beasley of The Miami Herald has more on what options Dolphins’ officials are considering:
Forecasts this far out are still unreliable, so the teams, the NFL and government officials have the benefit of time before making a decision to either move the game up a few days, move it back or postpone it. Both the Buccaneers and Dolphins have a bye on Nov. 18, but the NFL typically does not want teams playing 16 straight weeks, which both teams would do if the game is moved to that date.
Instead, finding a day in the next week would seem to be more likely. Another, less likely option is moving the game to another city.
…If Sunday’s game is going to be moved, that call will probably have to be made by Wednesday morning, because of the logistics involved.
Hard Rock Stadium, which in recent years underwent a half-billion renovation project, is built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane. But even if it isn’t hit directly, there are a number of other issues that could determine when the game will be played. Most notably: staffing a game with local police and over 1,000 game-day employees.
Moving the game up to Friday might make the most sense, and there have been some cases of that in the past with the Dolphins changing game dates to avoid storms. They moved a game against the Titans from Sunday to Saturday in 2004, and one against the Chiefs from Sunday to Friday in 2005. (A game last year was also considered for potential relocation before a storm turned away.) Beasley’s Herald colleagues Barry Jackson and Armando Salguero provided some further details on Twitter:
I'm told neither the Dolphins nor the Bucs would want Sunday game postponed to shared bye week Nov. 19. Told NFL as much.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) September 4, 2017
Decision on Sunday's Dolphins-TB game figures to come Tues or Wed. There is precedent to moving hurricane-impacted game to Fri.We'll see.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 4, 2017
For those asking: Last time a Dolphins game was moved to Fri. for a hurricane (Fins-KC in 2005),game was aired only on CBS affil.in S.Fla&KC
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 4, 2017
..So NFL,Fox (& DirecTV with regard to Sunday Ticket) would need to decide whether to take same or different approach 12 yrs later if needed
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 4, 2017
If the game is in fact moved to Friday, a national broadcast of it might have extra appeal, especially considering that this is Week 1. The NFL season kicks off Thursday with the Chiefs against the Patriots, but then there’s nothing until Sunday. That would require some short-notice changes of broadcasting schedules, which isn’t always easy, but if there’s a way to show this game nationally, it might get a decent audience. Broadcasting obviously isn’t the major concern here, but it’s something else that will be impacted by any decision.
A Friday game would still be unfortunate for the teams given the logistics involved. However, it might be the best option they have, and it’s easier to do it as the first game in the season (no one’s coming off a short week). We’ll see what happens here.
NFL Network could air the game on Friday night with a blackout in FL for the local FOX affiliates to carry the game. It was still be produced by FOX with NFL Network producing a halftime show. Thus the game would be a defacto national game and still allow FOX to keep the local markets. In exchange FOX would not be allowed to show an early window game in Tampa or S. Florida on Sunday, but because of broadcast rules they would still be allowed to show games in Orlando, Tallahasse, and Jacksonville. This is exactly what the NFL will do.
“In exchange FOX would not be allowed to show an early window game in Tampa or S. Florida on Sunday”
Considering that’s when the storm is likely to hit, I have a feeling that the FOX affiliates won’t be airing football anyway.
I dont wanna sound like an arse and legitimately wish for the safety of all those in the potentially affected area but…. I have Mike Evans and Jay Ajayi in a few Draftkings line ups and I NEED to know how this will potentially affect me ASAP!!
Congrats, you accomplished sounding like an arse.
Will this SJW/ politically correct nonsense ever end??! I didn’t have to articulate that as well as I did yet I still managed to offend Punjabi PAI.. The tiger would’ve done well to have eaten you before reaching the shore ijs
What the fuck does Punjabi PAI mean, dumb ass? BTW, pay attention around here, I am about as right-wing as they come.
Dude, I’m not here to “pay attention” to your social activity and certainly not to e-spar with a comment section troll. If you’re so right-winged, why not go argue with your woman about your pro life preferrences or something. Draftkings input or stfu, please
Answer the question, what does Punjabi PAI mean? Is that a racial slur I don’t get, cuz it sounds like one.
Who tf are you to feel so entitled to think I must answer your questions??! Get a friend to talk to and visit Google to explain what a Punjabi is. Feel free to not reply as I will certainly do the same
I did, and it sounds racist the way you use it. My ID isn’t a name, it’s an acronym, and oddly enough what it means fits perfectly with you.
move game to kansas city or indianapolis or new orleans. and keep it at 1pm on sunday
If the game is moved to Friday evening, the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 would restrict TV coverage. It would likely then only be seen live in the primary & secondary markets of the respective teams.
That even existing is so sad. What a waste of Congressional time.