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An NFL rule change will give football fans some more perspective from head coaches in 2024.
As researched by Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, the NFL will require head coaches to be available for live interviews during games in the 2024 season. This was discovered through the testimony of Cathy Yancy, NFL vice president of broadcasting rights, policies and compliance, during the NFL Sunday Ticket trial.
“This year, we have a new policy going into effect where all of the clubs are going to have to make a head coach available live for an interview during the game,” Yancy said, per Florio. “Each team has to provide a head coach; one in the first half, one in the second half. And that’s for all teams, and it’s available for all TV partners.”
On-field interviews during games are not unfamiliar during an NFL broadcast but requiring it will mean that coaches do not have the right to refuse the interview. It also means that both perspectives will be presented during the games, as one coach will have an interview during the first half while the other will be profiled in the second half.
Yancy elaborated by saying that this will be good for viewers and will provide closer access to the teams that they cheer for.
“Because it’s good for the broadcast, it’s good for the fans,” Yancy said, per Florio. “Fans want to be closer to the game, they want to get to know the players and the coaches. It’s very important that they kind of have that relationship, and they want to hear. It’s really good sound. If you’re a football fan or even if you’re a casual fan, it’s great to hear from the coaches. There’s a lot of emotion.”
In the past, coaches would have interviews before halftime or just outside of the locker room. Now, fans will see the interview on the sideline.
This will bring in some interesting perspectives and also could result in some heated exchanges if a team is struggling on the field.
