What determines a 30 second time out?

[Cajuncowboy]

When they call a time out, why are some 30 second time outs and some are longer. Is it based on the TV deal?

 

[Cajuncowboy]

No one knows? Anyone?

 

[TheKey]

I wondered this as well...

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

team timeouts are probably 30 seconds but tv timeouts about 2 minutes+

 

[Cajuncowboy]

team timeouts are probably 30 seconds but tv timeouts about 2 minutes+

They are all team time outs. But what makes the ref decide if you get 30 seconds or 2 minutes?

I know there are cases where you are calling TOs to save time on the clock but there are a lot of them that are called for strategy purposes. It's those that I wonder if they are cut short.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

probably depends if you are near the right time for a tv timeout

 

[Idgit]

They are all team time outs. But what makes the ref decide if you get 30 seconds or 2 minutes?

I know there are cases where you are calling TOs to save time on the clock but there are a lot of them that are called for strategy purposes. It's those that I wonder if they are cut short.

I always thought it was at the team's discretion, and that the 30 second variety were for the purposes of stopping the clock at the end of halves rather than for making adjustments and whatnot. No need to stop gameplay longer than necessary at the end of close games.

 

[gaylemike]

Networks used to have contracted language with the NFL for commercials for revenue purposes. I'd guess that language is still in effect although my friend that works for FOX in Dallas got transfered out to the west coast. Those TO's were 2 minutes.

 

[Cochese]

Networks used to have contracted language with the NFL for commercials for revenue purposes. I'd guess that language is still in effect although my friend that works for FOX in Dallas got transfered out to the west coast. Those TO's were 2 minutes.

could be like hockey, if its a flawless game, the first stoppage after 10 minutes gets an extended tv timeout.

 

[StevenOtero]

There is a set amount of commercial breaks for a game. If there is a stoppage of play, the network will take advantage of it and go to break. Play will resume after the commercial.

If the network has met their quota for commercial breaks. They will not go to break, they'll "keep it there".

 

[coach316]

When they call a time out, why are some 30 second time outs and some are longer. Is it based on the TV deal?

Per NFL rules: 9. Consecutive team time outs can be taken by opposing teams but the length of the second time out will be reduced to 40 seconds.

 

[Reality]

Per NFL rules: 9. Consecutive team time outs can be taken by opposing teams but the length of the second time out will be reduced to 40 seconds.

I believe that rule is referring to when one team calls a timeout and then the other 'opposing' team calls a timeout immediately after that timeout without running a play.

I am not sure of the exact rule, but I am fairly certain the 30-second timeout is the normal timeout period but when there are commercial slots remaining, the timeouts are extended for the duration of the commercials.

-Reality

 

[arglebargle]

I have heard from a reasonable source that there is a TV guy on the sidelines (who apparantly wears orange gloves) who signals the length of the timeout. Presumably he is connected to the TV show producers, etc, who are figuring out how to fit the puzzle pieces of commercial time into the game.

They pay the money, they get to call the shots.