DL: FOX to fill Friday Nights in spring with UFL

[GregParks]

Turns out, the move to Fridays is due to Fox's acquisition of IndyCar races:



I know a lot of people were looking at the move to Fridays as an indication that the league was expanding in year two, but that always felt like 2+2=5 to me. Besides, if they were expanding and wanted to do it the right way, that should've been announced, like, yesterday. But interesting that this sounds like more than just a few "experimental" games on Friday nights. 

[4th&long]

Turns out, the move to Fridays is due to Fox's acquisition of IndyCar races:



I know a lot of people were looking at the move to Fridays as an indication that the league was expanding in year two, but that always felt like 2+2=5 to me. Besides, if they were expanding and wanted to do it the right way, that should've been announced, like, yesterday. But interesting that this sounds like more than just a few "experimental" games on Friday nights. 

They are getting Indy Cars to replace the Nascar races they are losing

The Friday night move is to replace Smackdown which is gone in Sept - to be replaced seasonally by CFB, CBB, UFL.  The announced move to Fridays was well before the Indy deal got inked (today).

If they need openings to attract Indy Cars to sign with them - sure but the main driver is Smackdown absence

https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/0 ... bc-report/

>>  FOX will have a vacancy on Memorial Day weekend starting next year, when the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 moves to Amazon’s Prime Video service.

That is not the only vacancy Fox will have next season, as the number of NASCAR Cup Series races on its broadcast network will be sliced in half from ten to five as part of that circuit’s new media rights deal. One can assume that some of the windows FOX used to use on NASCAR will instead belong to IndyCar.

It remains to be seen how IndyCar races will be split across the Fox Sports platforms. IndyCar has in the past emphasized the importance of broadcast television, and in recent years the majority of races have aired on the NBC broadcast network. Unlike NBC, which shut down NBCSN in 2021, Fox still has a 24-hour sport network in need of content.  <<

https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/0 ... ghts-deal/

>> Between the full race schedule and Indy 500 qualifying, FOX is set to air 19 IndyCar windows next season. According to Fox Sports NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, each IndyCar race will air in a 2 1/2 hour window, except for the Indy 500, which will have a five-hour window.It is not clear whether Fox will have the ability to put races on its FS1 cable network at any point over the life of the new deal. INDY NXT series races will air primarily on FS1, with some on FS2, and both networks will carry practice and qualifying sessions. Those events were largely airing on Peacock in the current contract.

The IndyCar races will largely not conflict with existing NASCAR coverage on FOX. There are two IndyCar races set for weekends when FOX typically carries NASCAR, the St. Petersburg opener on March 2 and The Thermal Club on March 23. This season, FOX aired Las Vegas and COTA on those weekends.With FOX having NFL commitments, the IndyCar season will now end on Labor Day weekend. <<

Here's the full INDY on Fox schedule 2025 - there were 4 Nascar events in UFL 2024 overlap on Fox with others on FS1,  AND 6 Indy events over course of 12 week UFL full season.

https://us.motorsport.com/indycar/news/ ... /10623034/

NASCAR 2024 Schedule

https://www.espn.com/racing/schedule

I don't see this as major driver for UFL Fridays.

[MGB01]

Turns out, the move to Fridays is due to Fox's acquisition of IndyCar races:



I know a lot of people were looking at the move to Fridays as an indication that the league was expanding in year two, but that always felt like 2+2=5 to me. Besides, if they were expanding and wanted to do it the right way, that should've been announced, like, yesterday. But interesting that this sounds like more than just a few "experimental" games on Friday nights. 

That would indicate an earlier start for the league (weekend of March 1-2), which would still be in their NASCAR window, thus the need to open up spots. Otherwise IndyCar would simply be replacing the ones later on.

FOX gets Daytona and Indy, first time since ABC in the 70s (and as ABC did S/D tape delay or as part of WWOS, first time ever live)

[steve42]

While personally I don't hate the idea of a Friday night game, I wonder if it will result in more or fewer in-person attendees to the games.  Some of us are a lock for attending, but we're talking about a 7pm CT/8pm ET kickoff. The current time zone breakdown is 6 Central and 2 Eastern.  Home games in Detroit and DC would be slated for 8-11pm while the other teams would be 7-10pm.

I'm absolutely willing to take off early from work to tailgate and attend the game; I think the other "superfans" will do so as well.  However, many folks who work 8-5 may not want to rush to the stadium after a full day of work.  Since Birmingham seems to be plagued with residents who draw the excuse-of-the-week out of the deck and drop it on the table like they're throwing high cards in a game of Spades, I can see a lighter-than-normal turnout being a potential risk.

On the other side, how do the DC and Detroit fans feel about getting into their cars at 11:30pm and going home after a full day of work?  I've seen some insane OT games in baseball, and by 11pm, the stands have often emptied out, even on the weekends.

I suppose we shall see. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

[4th&long]

While personally I don't hate the idea of a Friday night game, I wonder if it will result in more or fewer in-person attendees to the games.  Some of us are a lock for attending, but we're talking about a 7pm CT/8pm ET kickoff. The current time zone breakdown is 6 Central and 2 Eastern.  Home games in Detroit and DC would be slated for 8-11pm while the other teams would be 7-10pm.

I'm absolutely willing to take off early from work to tailgate and attend the game; I think the other "superfans" will do so as well.  However, many folks who work 8-5 may not want to rush to the stadium after a full day of work.  Since Birmingham seems to be plagued with residents who draw the excuse-of-the-week out of the deck and drop it on the table like they're throwing high cards in a game of Spades, I can see a lighter-than-normal turnout being a potential risk.

On the other side, how do the DC and Detroit fans feel about getting into their cars at 11:30pm and going home after a full day of work?  I've seen some insane OT games in baseball, and by 11pm, the stands have often emptied out, even on the weekends.

I suppose we shall see. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Good post to ponder.

If the goal is truely to replace Smackdown we can expect to see 10 Friday night games.  75% of the league plays in CST so attendance impact s/b minimal - perhaps an improvement, 
How many games are actually in Detroit and DC on Fridays?  We'll see.

[steve42]

Good post to ponder.

If the goal is truely to replace Smackdown we can expect to see 10 Friday night games.  75% of the league plays in CST so attendance impact s/b minimal - perhaps an improvement, 
How many games are actually in Detroit and DC on Fridays?  We'll see.

10 Friday night games might be achievable since FOX had 20 of the regular season games this season. We only have 40 regular season games until the league expands and they still have to have programming for the ESPN/ABC side of the agreement. Obviously if the broadcast plan holds true after an expansion, it would give more options.

I guess we'll have to see what happens.

[nickp1991]

 Friday night football could become the UFL’s SNF if they market correctly