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sports Diahuebs 31 Maart 2022

NFL owners approve rule change for OT in playoffs

(AP) — It took a few years, and sioner Roger Goodell said. “What
for many fans that probably was brought this decision was the data-
too long. base and the facts. When you see that,
this is an issue in the postseason.”
Still, the NFL has heard the cries of
“unfair” and has adjusted its over- Rich McKay, the Falcons president
times rules. and chairman of the competition
committee, admitted that Kansas
Only for the postseason, though. City’s victory over Buffalo was a fac-
tor in the balloting by owners. He said
The NFL is changing the sometimes that was well beyond the required 24
controversial overtime rules to guar- votes, but would not reveal the exact
antee each side gets the ball in the numbers.
playoffs.
“I think what the stats show is there
Concerned that the coin toss to begin is a clear issue we can say since the
the extra period has too much impact change (in rules) in 2010,” McKay
on postseason game results, the own- added, “and the problem comes in
ers voted Tuesday to permanently the postseason.”
approve a proposal presented by the
Colts and Eagles. Since the previous overtime rule was
instituted for the regular season in
Beginning this season, if the team 2012, the team that wins the coin toss
possessing the ball first in overtime has won the game half of the time (76 touchdown and win, or kick a field the New York Giants), claiming rac-
scores a touchdown on that series, of 152 games). However, both teams goal and play would continue — if ist hiring practices. Flores also has ac-
the opponent still gets a possession. have had at least one possession in time allowed. cused Ross of offering him a bonus
In recent seasons, that touchdown 82% of the games (124 of 152). to lose games in 2019, something the
would have ended the game. Of course, in the postseason, when owner vigorously has denied.
Those numbers changed quite a bit there are no ties, overtimes continue
That second possession of overtime in the postseason. Since 2010, when until someone has more points. Earlier Tuesday, Carolina coach Matt
would extend beyond the initial that rule was instituted for the play- Rhule voiced his support of a poten-
15-minute period if needed. Should offs, seven of the 12 overtime games Goodell concluded the meetings by tial change — something that many
that team tie the game, it then would have been won on an opening posses- urging caution regarding the De- owners agreed with, if only for the
become sudden death. sion touchdown, and 10 of 12 have shaun Watson situation and the NFL’s postseason.
been won by the team that won the investigation. The quarterback, who
Outcries began back in the February coin toss. did not play for Houston last season Troy Vincent, who oversees NFL
2017 Super Bowl when Tom Brady after 22 women accused him of sex- football operations, echoed Rhule’s
completed an incredible comeback The Titans had recommended that ual misconduct, will not be indicted sentiment, saying that football fans
from a 28-3 deficit to tie the game. both teams possess the ball in over- on criminal charges. Now with the have expressed the same opinion.
The Patriots won the coin toss, time unless the team receiving the Cleveland Browns after a trade, Wat-
marched to a touchdown and beat the kickoff scores a touchdown and a son still faces civil lawsuits. The owners also approved an anti-
Falcons. 2-point conversion. That would end tampering rule that prohibits a team
the game. But the owners, perhaps As for a potential suspension for Wat- seeking an assistant general manager
In the 2018 season, New England believing the Tennessee suggestion son, Goodell noted that a discipline from asking permission for an inter-
won the AFC title on the first series was too gimmicky, went with the officer jointly appointed by the league view until after the draft. As Vincent
of OT without Kansas City getting other proposal. and players’ union would make that explained, someone in personnel for
the ball. determination. one team who has been involved in
Under previous rules, the 10-minute draft preparation should not be avail-
When the same thing happened in overtime in the regular season only Goodell said if the league discovers a able for hire by another club until the
Kansas City during this January’s di- continued if the team getting the ball violation in Dolphins owner Stephen draft is over.
visional game between the Bills and first failed to score or kicked a field Ross’ conduct regarding the integrity
the Chiefs, won by KC, a ground- goal. Should the side receiving the of the game, the information would Once the draft has concluded — this
swell became an uproar. kickoff make a field goal, the team be released publicly. Former Dolphins year that is April 30 — the employing
that first played defense would get coach Brian Flores has sued the NFL team must grant permission for such
“We always listen to fans,” Commis- a possession in which it can score a and three teams (Miami, Denver and interviews.

March Madness paying off for players under mishmash of rules

(AP) — At long last, some themselves by legitimate ketball and football play- Duke will play in the first make the arrangements le-
of the cold, hard cash in means. One expert esti- er on a major Division I Final Four to be held under gal; proposed federal legisla-
the billion-dollar world mates by the time next roster could be making the new world of “name, im- tion to regulate NIL stalled;
of college sports is hitting year’s Final Four rolls $100,000 or more. age and likeness” (NIL) en- the Supreme Court ruled in
the wallets of the players around, every men’s bas- dorsements in college sports. favor of athletes’ rights to be
On one hand, it’s a long- That world is comprised of a compensated; and the NCAA
overdue development that loosely regulated mishmash never found a way to put the
will forever change the land- of state laws and university- new business model under
scape of what has been wide- written rules that set differ- its umbrella before the state
ly disparaged as among the ent standards across the na- laws went into effect.
most unfair labor markets in tion with little transparency
America. On the other, trou- about which players get what What resulted was an open
ble could be looming for an or where it comes from. market that, as Barbara Jones,
industry with few rules that the CEO of Outshine Talent,
doles out big bucks to teen- The ability of athletes to put it, resembles “the Wild
agers with big dreams. make money off endorse- West, in that a lot of people
ment deals began last July 1, are involved in this, and they
This week, Kansas, Villa- triggered by a series of events: don’t know what they don’t
nova, North Carolina and several states passed laws to know.”