NFL is just sports entertainment?

[ScipioCowboy]

Outcomes don’t have to be predetermined for officiating to exhibit bias. Certain teams tend to get the benefit of questionable calls while other teams tend to get the other end. The NFL favors certain narratives, and it calls games to get those narratives.

 

[glimmerman]

Could be shaving points. Not asked to throw the game just keep the spread. Could be throwing games. Could be trying to keep it close. Could be just really bad officiating. Happens to a lot of games and not just our team.

Who knows. Until I find out for sure then I will keep hoping the refs let them play because the raiders game was terrible..

 

[Aviano90]

Drew Pearson admitted in his Football Life episode he had a false start on the Hail Mary. NFL hates the Vikings.

 

[csirl]

I dont think it's fully rigged, and no one can possibly present the evidence you're looking for, so you win.

But I do think the Hochuli family sees a national game as an opportunity to show the world they exist.

I actually think their were a number of officials on that crew who were too visible in an attention seeking way. The best officials do their jobs in an understated professional way - trying to avoid being the centre of attention. The attention seekers have a negative impact on player behaviour.

My brother was a referee at a reasonably high level including some televised games. He was a big believer in the officials professionalism setting the tone of the game. One of his mantras is that if a player gets ejected, the officials have done a bad job as a good crew should never allow frustrations to develop in the first place.

 

[ArbynTX]

The fans that think the NFL is rigged and that games are predetermined need to seek therapy. Can’t understand why fans would even bother to watch the games if they believe that. With all the scrutiny on officiating with cameras everywhere it’s ludicrous to believe games are rigged.

Which begs the question do Cowboys get victories solely from the goodness of the officials hearts? The ‘we should let them win this one’ approach? NFL games are played and officiated by human beings. They make mistakes and, yes, officiating crews make questionable if not down right stupid calls. But, as you said and I agree, instant replay cameras are everywhere so even the most egregious calls can be and are reviewed and reversed. Coaches have challenge flags, all meant to keep the game legit. I know situations like the PI penalties against Brown are excessive and questionable, but was the game, or any game, rigged? No.

 

[ghst187]

I think it’s somewhere between pure and WWE

 

[Diehardblues]

There’s no evidence , not one single whistleblower or disgruntled former league official , player , coach or referee . Nothing …

But that doesn’t mean we haven’t seen a growing inconsistency and poor officiating aided by additional rule changes which brings more speculative judgement call in the spotlight which can impact results of the game. And why we’re probably having more hecklers, sour grapes and conspiracy theory paranoia.

As we continue to review almost every play I could see the league at some point reviewing these game altering penalties as well.

 

[KJJ]

Which begs the question do Cowboys get victories solely from the goodness of the officials hearts? The ‘we should let them win this one’ approach? NFL games are played and officiated by human beings. They make mistakes and, yes, officiating crews make questionable if not down right stupid calls. But, as you said and I agree, instant replay cameras are everywhere so even the most egregious calls can be and are reviewed and reversed. Coaches have challenge flags, all meant to keep the game legit. I know situations like the PI penalties against Brown are excessive and questionable, but was the game, or any game, rigged? No.

There’s fools on his board who think the NFL is biased against the Cowboys. Someone on this board blamed Goodell for CeeDee not passing concussion protocol. There’s some nut cases here who have a circus going on inside their heads.

 

[ArbynTX]

There’s no evidence , not one single whistleblower or disgruntled former league official , player , coach or referee . Nothing …

But that doesn’t mean we haven’t seen a growing inconsistency and poor officiating aided by additional rule changes which brings more speculative judgement call in the spotlight which can impact results of the game. And why we’re probably having more hecklers, sour grapes and conspiracy theory paranoia.

As we continue to review almost every play I could see the league at some point reviewing these game altering penalties as well.

All rule enforcement is at the mercy of the subjective official. If he or she thinks it’s a foul based on the wording, yellow hits the turf.

 

[Floatyworm]

If you don't think things are fixed...then you don't follow the league close enough. All the rule changes have been concocted to dictate outcomes of games. One example....no coaching challenges the last 2 minutes....really? Why? Afraid coach can change a predetermined outcome??? Of course they are...

 

[ArbynTX]

If you don't think things are fixed...then you don't follow the league close enough. All the rule changes have been concocted to dictate outcomes of games. One example....no coaching challenges the last 2 minutes....really? Why? Afraid coach can change a predetermined outcome??? Of course they are...

Then why give coaches the challenge ability at all - to be able to second guess the official’s call? Is that smoke and mirrors? A false sense of security? I don’t have the stats, but my guess is very few games have their outcome determined in the last two minutes.

 

[Diehardblues]

If you don't think things are fixed...then you don't follow the league close enough. All the rule changes have been concocted to dictate outcomes of games. One example....no coaching challenges the last 2 minutes....really? Why? Afraid coach can change a predetermined outcome??? Of course they are...

Actually it’s because they don’t want to limit how many calls can be reviewed in final 2 minutes. And it doesn’t take away from their two coaches calls.

In other words if they didn’t review all calls inside of 2 minutes then coaches might not question others during the game saving them for final 2 minutes.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Apparently a lot of you think the NFL isn't legit, it's rigged. Refs more concerned with "their gambling buddies". Ok, those of you who think the league is more pro rasslin' than NCAA football convince me that yes the refs are dirty, and the games are rigged.

Been into pro football since the late 50's, the biggest change is the athletes involved, the game was never meant to be played by guys this big, fast and strong ,was never meant to be played on fake hard grass or 20 games in a season if playoffs.

Anyway....

Obviously the game started out legit, so when did it go from a sport to sports entertainment and rigged? Convince me the NFL is now rigged, you have the floor......

So before a game the refs get together and try to do all thy can to get the winner and the betting line covered, right? Make sure the Steelers cover that 5.5.....right?

Ya, something smells....and why wouldn't they classify it as a sports league instead of entertainment?

 

[Diehardblues]

All rule enforcement is at the mercy of the subjective official. If he or she thinks it’s a foul based on the wording, yellow hits the turf.

Of course .

Officials calls are reviewed by the league and they are often reprimanded and can face disciplinary action including calling less games.

Unfortunately I think at some point we’ll see the league want to review certain penalties much like they do other plays that require a judgement call.

 

[Diehardblues]

Ya, something smells....and why wouldn't they classify it as a sports league instead of entertainment?

It’s an entertainment league that plays football. Ive always argued it’s a business first. Some fans still see it as just a game. And it’s really been that since they begin broadcasting all of the games in the 60’s. I still recall when they didn’t broadcast all of the home games.

 

[TheHerd]

No sane person believes that.You'll notice you never get those threads when things are going well for Dallas. It's just a form of whining when folks don't like the results.

Drew Pearson admitted in his Football Life episode he had a false start on the Hail Mary. NFL hates the Vikings.

]Oh I thought it was rigged when we were winning Super Bowls. Rigged is way too strong a word, but the officiating has played a role in outcomes for a long time. The refs let the boys play at big moments in our super bowl runs. Plenty of Irvin big plays were a result of refs holding their flags for him. And Reggie White was absolutely abused by Erik Williams with very few calls, just like Parsons now. And the packers always got screwed in those days.
And with the escalation of commas in the revenue, it's gotten worse for entertainment purposes. In the lawsuit and in public discussions, the league has admitted it's entertainment business, let's be real

 

[ArbynTX]

It’s an entertainment league that plays football. Ive always argued it’s a business first. Some fans still see it as just a game. And it’s really been that since they begin broadcasting all of the games in the 60’s. I still recall when they didn’t broadcast all of the home games.

Much like Vegas is an entertainment enterprise that allows gambling. Everything today is family oriented. To not be means loss of dollars in tee shirts, souvenirs, etc.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

Ya, something smells....and why wouldn't they classify it as a sports league instead of entertainment?

Because the government can regulate sports but not entertainment. If they call it a sport the government can assign watchdogs to oversee things. The government would have the ability to investsgate corruption, halt betting, and strip away awards. Who wants the gov all in their business like that?

 

[Diehardblues]

Much like Vegas is an entertainment enterprise that allows gambling. Everything today is family oriented. To not be means loss of dollars in tee shirts, souvenirs, etc.

Yep

Much of what the league is doing was implemented to attract fringe fans. It’s all about increasing market share. The business of sports isn’t any different.

The purist and diehards are addicted. They’re like junkies . They’ll complain all the way to the bank.

 

[Diehardblues]

Because the government can regulate sports but not entertainment. If they call it a sport the government can assign watchdogs to oversee things. The government would have the ability to investsgate corruption, halt betting, and strip away awards. Who wants the gov all in their business like that?

Not only that but the NFL falls under Anti Trust laws that Congress oversees providing the league their monopoly for TV rights, etc.

And why the league most important venture is to protect the integrity of the game and the shield. Last thing they want is congressional oversight .