2010 Pro Bowl Moving To ESPN
Event will be changed to take place a week before the Super Bowl
By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/30/2008 12:21:00 PM
The 2010 NFL Pro Bowl is returning to cable. ESPN will televise the game which has often been a yearly staple on broadcast networks with Super Bowl rights (ESPN did televise the game from 2004-2006). NBC will broadcast the next one in 2009.
Traditionally the network with rights to the Super Bowl has the option of purchasing rights to the Pro Bowl, CBS apparently declined its option for 2010.
“ESPN presents year-round coverage of the NFL and will work together with the league to promote the 2010 Pro Bowl as one of the kickoff events to Super Bowl XLIV week in South Florida,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president, program acquisitions and strategy.
In addition, for the first time the NFL is moving the Pro Bowl up to the week before the Super Bowl in an effort to boost ratings. It will also be played in the Super Bowl's host city of Miami.
“Moving the Pro Bowl to the Sunday prior to the Super Bowl can add even more excitement to Super Bowl week, one of the most anticipated weeks of the year,” said Frank Supovitz, the NFL’s senior vice president of events. “Taking the Pro Bowl to new locations can showcase our top players to more fans around the country."
The game has been played in Hawaii since 1980 and was televised the week after the Super Bowl. That meant all the players were available and the weather would be nice, but by then fan interest would have slowed somewhat.
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I think its BS, cause whats not to say they will buy the rights to The Super Bowl, Im from Kansas and once in a while the Sunflower Showdown (KU vs K-State) goes on and being a KU fan I was pissed off that they Bought the right to the Game and all I have is digital bunny ears, so I get very few Channels, so Fu(K Espn, money hungry pirates is all they Are.
Joseph - 2/2/2010 5:27:57 PM EST -
Cable is way over priced.....lower the rates and everyone may subscribe......why pay for a bunch of channels you never watch!
Razorback in Texas - 1/31/2010 9:57:23 PM EST -
I have a son that works for a cable company and he says that in the future we'll pay for all of the games. Money rules once again.
Rich Wilder - 1/31/2010 7:47:21 PM EST -
YES I HAVE NO CABLE AND YOU PEOPLE THAT ARE SO MONEY HUNGRY SUCK FOR MOVING THE PRO BOWL TO CABLE
JON HAMILTON - 1/31/2010 4:40:59 PM EST -
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE PRO BOWL WILL BE ON ESPN. NOT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THIS CHANNEL! THIS ISN'T REALLY FAIR TO ALL THE FANS THAT DON'T HAVE CABLE!
Debbie - 1/27/2010 8:52:07 AM EST
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