This is a crusade I pick up every few years on Sports Talk.
Why is the Super Bowl on Sunday? Because that is the way it has always been. Well, 'because' is not a good enough answer.
Times change. Time to move the biggest game in sports.
Just say it out loud: Super Bowl Saturday Night. It's got a nice right to it, doesn't it?
Move the Super Bowl to Saturday night and adults would not have to worry about leaving a Super Bowl party early in order to get to bed for work the next day.
Think of the joy of waking up from a Super Bowl party on Sunday morning, rather than to a work day on Monday morning.
What work really gets done on Monday following the game? A recent survey found 1.5 million people were expected to call in sick the Monday after the game. Other surveys indicate the day after the Super Bowl is a “productivity killer for employers,” with companies losing almost $300 million in wages for every 10 minutes workers spend talking about the game and commercials or watching highlights.
I know, I will get cries that TV ratings will take a hit if the game is moved to Saturday night. Do you honestly think people won't watch the Super Bowl on a Saturday night?
I know, I will get cries that more people watching at bars on a Saturday night will hurt the calculations of ratings. The NFL is already trying to get a handle on viewership on phones, tablets, sports bars, etc.
The NFL already plays games on Monday-Thursday-Sunday. Heck, they had a playoff game on Saturday night this year (Dolphins-Chiefs).
Let's face it, the NFL could play the Super Bowl during lunch hour on a Tuesday and people would watch.
The NFL is always working on expanding the global reach of the NFL. If the Super Bowl finishes near 11pm eastern on a Sunday night, that means British fans must stay up until around 4am Monday to watch live. Come on.
Most people currently attending the Super Bowl arrive on Friday and go home Monday morning. So moving the game a day earlier might take away a chunk of money spent in host cities every year, from shorter hotel stays to less money spent on meals and entertainment. But worry about the greater good..... the fans at home.
What do I always ask? What's the down side? What's the big deal?
At least try it. Once.
Say it with me: Super Bowl Saturday Night