After years of speculation about its evolution – or immediate elimination NFL Pro BowlBig changes are coming to the format and events of the week leading up to the Super Bowl. On September 26, the NFL announced changes: The game itself will no longer exist, and the league will scrap the all-star event in favor of a series of alternate events.
NFL executive Peter O’Reilly commented on the game changes in a statement released Monday: “We’ve received valuable feedback from players, teams and fans about the Pro Bowl redesign, and as such, we’re excited to use the Pro Bowl Games as a platform to highlight flag football as an integral part of the future. of the sport, while introducing fun new forms of competition and entertainment that will bring our players, their families and their fans closer than ever.”
The NFL is trying to find a way to keep its stars in a dying event: the game’s viewership, while still an impressive 6.6 million for the 2022 edition, It was the lowest number in years and the lowest rating since 1994.
The annual celebration of the NFL’s hottest and best has come under the microscope in recent years due to players’ reluctance to come to the game, and on-field merchandise has suffered. All of this led to changes for the postseason event.
The league, however, will stick with the Pro Bowl theme. Here’s the latest on what to expect.
NFL Pro Bowl Changes
The league is replacing the Pro Bowl with the “Pro Bowl Games,” which will be a week of skill competitions leading up to a flag football game between the AFC and the NFC on the Sunday before the Super Bowl. Think of it as American Gladiators (late 80s/mid 90s TV show), only with less spandex, more football, and no giant Q-tip fights. Plus, it lasts a week.
In years past, the NFL has held skills competitions during Pro Bowl weekend, so expect to see more of those, but amped up. The events will be broadcast on ESPN along with other NFL partners and its Omaha Productions Peyton Manningwill participate in the planning of the week’s events.
The NFL also says fan voting will continue and begin at a later date, which will help determine the rosters.
When is the 2023 Pro Bowl being played?
With the Pro Bowl gone, the 2023 Pro Bowl Games will take place the week of January 29, 2023 in Las Vegas before the flag football game on Sunday, February 5. It is not clear what the schedule of events for the week will bebut the NFL says there will be events every day.
Also taking place during the week is the East-West Shrine Bowl, the annual showcase for college players.
