Are the owners putting profits ahead of the players risking injuries by making teams play 4 exhibition games?

Question

I can never understand why the NFL makes the preseason have to go on so long. I understand the need for teams to get real time game experience up and coaches to evaluate new personal and run plays, but 4 games is too long. After all its not like old days where players didn't spend almost full year working out and practicing.

Teams charge full ticket price for these exhibition games and they sell allot of seats , so I guess that's why that don't want to get rid of the 4th game. I sure can't remember what the Giants record was in last year preseason yet if your like me you just hope when you listen the next morning on radio or read the sports that a big name player isn't injured.

Answer 1

Owners have always put profit ahead of players welfare. Jerry Jones doesn't give two hoots about those players. It's all about the money.

Answer 2

I agree that the NFL Pre-Season is a couple games too long and the risk of injury to any athlete is too high.

However, you would be surprised that pre-season games are not that profitable for most NFL Franchises. You figure the average team sells only about 50% of their seats for a pre-season match-up, but they are still required to have the same amount of staff on hand that would have for a regular game. Bottom Line is there is more money going out the door to employees than coming into the owner's hands.

It's a good way to train new staff and get all the kinks worked out before regular season starts as most stadium staff changes yearly as most positions are seasonal.

Answer 3

No.  One the preseason is for coaches to assess the younger players and to get some live game experience for players before going into the regular season.  

Also, ask an owner that answer and the answer is sure to be 'no'.  It's a business.  The players are their assets, so they are looking out for the health of them as well.  That is why you will rarely see the superstars play.