Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

Now, I’m no great football fan, but I know a thing or two about people and plans.

The game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers has been changed from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night.

This from the NBC Sports Website
The Chicago Bears will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football on NBC, Dec. 31, in the final flex game for the 2006 season.

[ . . . ]

NBC’s coverage starts with Football Night in America at 7 p.m. ET. Kickoff is at 8:15.

During Week 17, the decision to move a game-time start can be cut to six days — the league has said the idea is to aim for a night game with playoff implications. Only games originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon are eligible for a swing to Sunday night.

Did no one care that Sunday night is NewYear’s Eve?

What about . . .

• the folks with season tickets who have other plans?
• the folks who’ve spent money on romantic evenings?
• the woman I just heard crying on sports radio about her wedding that was planned for after the game with her family of football fans?
• the guys who planned to propose in grand fashion that evening?
• the people who wanted to watch the game that afternoon with their families?
• the folks who had plans to attend and now can’t?

Who was NBC choosing for? In 1968, NBC chose to cut the Super Bowl to start a movie. That disaster is now called the Heidi Game.

I find this decision beyond “business amazing.” It’s stunning in it’s thoughtlessness. It asks the audience to change their life at NBC’s whim. The rules say that they can do this. Just because they can, doesn’t make it a good idea.

Please help me understand this. I’m truly baffled here.

–ME “Liz” Strauss