How To Fix the Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl continues to go down in viewers and there is even talk of the NFL just canceling the game. The Pro Bowl has struggled so much there is reason to wonder what, if anything, can be done to fix the game.
Even though the game misses out on stars that sit out for injury reasons and the Super Bowl they still have plenty that play. Unlike the NHL and formerly the MLB there is little to no incentive for playing. The NHL winner of the 3 on 3 tournament get 1 million dollars, and up until this year the MLB winner received home field advantage. However, the NFL gives the winners 61,000 and the losers 30,000, which pays for the players taking the entire family to Disney world. The NFL is the biggest, most popular sport in America but do not give the winners anywhere close to the NHL, which is the least popular.
It’s time for the NFL to make a change once again but I think this one will be successful. The skills competition is good as is and if anything I would add a couple more competitions or have the WRs compete against each other in the precision passing or have linemen in the best hands. This would add fun and intrigue because before you see Odell Beckham make expected one handed catches you can see Jason Kelce, Linval Joseph, Josh Sitton, and Carlos Dunlap face off.
For the game itself I would scratch the one game system and make it a tournament. The Pro Bowl invites a total of 88 players, which can lead to a great 5 on 5 flag football tournament. Imagine a competition that could feature highlight plays such as Ndamukong Suh throwing a bomb to Alex Smith or a Marquette King trick play with Tyreek Hill. It could be a two-day event (Saturday and Sunday) and obviously the amount of teams and players can be fluid. The NFL could do it two ways, one is having 8 captains and a draft; the second is to separate them by divisions.
The Pro Bowl will never be perfect but I think with these changes it can be more engaging and fun, which seems to be lacking. If it was successful for the NHL there is no doubt in my mind that it will do the same, if not more, for the NFL.