Why are there two ‘Monday Night Football’ games this week?
The Answer Lies in Money
On Monday, Dec. 16, the Chicago Bears will head to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings, and the Atlanta Falcons will land in Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. Two NFL games being played on Monday night isn’t a new thing and has been happening on and off for the past few seasons.
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The answer, as with many things in professional sports, is money. Broadcasting agreements completed in 2021 between the NFL and ESPN grant ESPN and ABC — two networks owned by Disney — more games each season, according to The Athletic. This practice began in 2022 and has continued into this season with matchups aired simultaneously on the two networks.
The History of Doubleheaders
Those who watched last year may remember that ABC channels aired “Monday Night Football” games more frequently than planned. This was due to strikes by the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists which cleared more time slots on the network that were filled by football due to a lack of programming.
This Week’s Doubleheader
This week marks the final of four doubleheaders this season.
What Does This Mean for Viewers?
For viewers, this means that they will have an extra chance to watch some of their favorite teams battle it out on Monday night. With two games on the schedule, fans of the NFL will have plenty of action to keep an eye on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are two “Monday Night Football” games this week due to the broadcasting agreements between the NFL and ESPN. This practice has become a regular occurrence in the NFL, with multiple doubleheaders taking place throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are there two “Monday Night Football” games this week?
A: There are two games this week because of the broadcasting agreements between the NFL and ESPN, which grant ESPN and ABC more games each season.
Q: Is this the first time this has happened?
A: No, this is not the first time that there have been two “Monday Night Football” games. This has been happening on and off for the past few seasons.
Q: What do the doubleheaders mean for viewers?
A: Doubleheaders mean that viewers have an extra chance to watch some of their favorite teams battle it out on Monday night.
