Columnist Sal DeFilippo: NFL cashes in on massive TV deals

Sal DeFilippo

Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998 | 7:52 a.m.

Every year some eagerly impatient fan whines about the fact that there's an extra week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl.

You know him -- the guy who's quick to point out that one time there was no bye week, Super Bowl XXV, when fans were rewarded with a one-point game -- the difference between victory and defeat a missed 47-yard field goal on the final play.

You know him because after 24 consecutive weekends of NFL action, he complains emphatically about being forced into a weekend off. You know him because he does everything short of picket in protest of the relentless overblown hype.

Most of all, you know him because he is ... well ... me.

Come on, it's not like this game hasn't been sold out since the '70s. The players are ready. The coaches are ready. The commercials are ready. All the elements are in place.

Tee it up and let's go. I want to see touchdowns and gang tackles and Budweiser frogs. And if only the Budweiser is around, I'll settle for that, too.

The biggest problem with the off week is that your mind wanders from the steadfast football mind-set, and you start to notice and pay attention to things you weren't cognizant of before -- stop signs, the full beard and sideburns, the four-foot weeds in the back yard. I knew I should have ditched the grass idea and just gone with the artificial turf. And when did it start getting so cold outside?

That's why this week's battling by the networks over NFL television contracts was so important. It allows us to keep focus, especially with the startling news that evolved.

No, I'm not talking about the end of NBC's 33-year run showing the NFL. Something bigger was announced, but first, here are the ABCs concerning the deals:

CBS had its eye on the AFC and outfoxed NBC for the deal. TNT watched its Sunday night package blow up as Disney-owned ESPN negotiated for 18 prime-time games, hardly a Mickey Mouse operation. ABC, also a Disney property, ensured another eight years of Frank, Al and Dan with the renewal of their Monday Night Football deal, intact since 1970.

HBO, Nickelodeon, the Weather Channel and QVC failed to strike a deal with the league, although Comedy Central is negotiating for exclusive rights to Colts games, and you may get to see the Cowboys on Court TV.

The NFL can command some pretty high stakes these days -- $8 billion here, $9 billion there. Each game during the next eight years will cost an average of $8.7 million for the broadcasting rights, or about $70,000 for every snap during the game.

But the big news doesn't concern money; it concerns Monday. Next year, if you turn on your set at 6 p.m. expecting to see crashing helmet graphic and Hank Williams Jr., you'll be in for a surprise. Namely, the second quarter.

ABC has said it will move the starting time of its broadcasts ahead one hour, beginning at 5 p.m. on the left coast. Welcome to MLAF -- Monday Late Afternoon Football. In Hawaii, I think the game actually starts late Sunday night.

Instead of eating dinner during the week's marquee prime-time game, you'll only be munching on the appetizer. So why has ABC opted for the early-bird special?

It may be that ABC just wants more bang for their billions. By starting their broadcast at 5, with kickoff set for 5:15, it gives the on-air crew more time. Perhaps another Hank song or two. Maybe a rundown of what Dan had for breakfast -- although they'd probably need more time for that, I suppose. They could also devote a few moments each week to laugh at NBC.

Their real plan probably involves a better pregame, on-field interview segment for Lynn Swann -- this season, he would be on camera with one coach for about four seconds, while the teams were lining up for the opening kickoff. Because of the short time allotted for responses, most answers sounded like attempts at sarcasm, when the coach really was trying to just be polite and watch the return team as the ball was kicked.

The average interview went something like this:

"Coach Switzer, how do you intend to stop the Panthers' running game?"

"With our defensive line, Lynn."

"Thanks, coach."

Ok, so Swanny could gain from these crucial extra minutes before the game. And perhaps they could fill the rest of the time with entertaining banter in the booth.

When you boil it down, starting early is actually a good thing, but not because of the new pregame efforts. The best part of MLAF is that the games also will end earlier. While this greatly is to the benefit of East Coast viewers who are used to watching till past midnight, it's also nice to finish early in the Pacific time zone. After all, it takes a while to cry yourself to sleep after tearing up parlay tickets.

For the time being, it's back to the hype, the media circus, the continued analysis of every aspect of next weekend's Broncos-Packers battle in San Diego. Ironically, NBC will telecast Super Bowl XXXII, their last for at least VIII seasons.

Denver and Green Bay fans should enjoy the next eight days. As for me, I'll be in the back yard. Now where is that weed clipper?