Despite complaints over the field conditions at Brazil’s Maracana Stadium ahead of Sunday’s big game between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens, the NFL won’t be changing venues. It will, however, probably not look like most NFL fields.
According to ProFootballTalk, the Cowboys-Ravens game is still on schedule but is expected to “not look great on TV.” PFT’s Mike Florio further noted that teams will likely need early access to the field so they can make an informed decision on the right footwear.
“It’s our current understanding that the game is ‘likely’ to happen as scheduled. If/when it does, expect the field to not look great on TV,” PFT reported.
“Also, it will be very important for the teams to get early access to the field so that the players will be able to make the right decisions about footwear for the game.”
Complaints Continue
NFL fans continue to criticize the league for moving forward with its many international games, particularly in Brazil.
“Just play the games here. I havent heard one fan say they love these international games,” one user on X demanded.
“The NFL needs to stop screwing over its domestic fanbase and pull back on these international games. It’s obvious it’s purely out of greed. Why can’t it mirror the Premier League and do its preseason games overseas instead?” wrote another.
“Both teams should play mostly backups, put the most boring product on the field. All teams should do this in all international games as form of protest. Stop international games!!” a third wrote.
© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
“Enough is enough with these international games…the fields always suck and it’s not doing anything to grow the audience the audience is still 95% from US.”
News that the conditions are so bad that even the professional soccer teams that compete at the stadium regularly are struggling with it aren’t making things any easier for the league amid the criticism.
But the NFL has too much money at stake to give up now.
