Joe Theismann Blasts NFL's 2026 Wednesday Opener as Tradition Gives Way to Streaming
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 29
Joe Theismann Blasts NFL's 2026 Wednesday Opener as Tradition Gives Way to Streaming
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 29
Theismann said the NFL has drifted from its Sunday-afternoon roots, arguing the 2026 schedule pushes too many games into primetime, holidays and overseas windows.
A Wednesday season opener, a Thursday game in Melbourne, a new Thanksgiving Eve matchup, Black Friday, three Christmas Day games and late-season Saturdays illustrate the shift.
He tied the change to the streaming era and owner revenue, saying fans now chase games across Amazon, Peacock, YouTube and multiple networks instead of the old ABC-NBC-CBS model.
Theismann still called wider access a benefit, saying fans can now find almost any game live even as the league's traditional rhythm fades.
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