Ravens' home opener in doubt | Goodell's efforts

As defending Super Bowl champions the Ravens earned the right to host the NFL season opener on national television on Thursday night, Sept. 5. But now that home game appears to be in limbo over an apparent scheduling dispute between the Ravens and Orioles.

The Ravens official Web site, citing league sources, tweeted that the Ravens might not open at home "on Thursday Night Football due to (s)cheduling conflict with Orioles."

At issue is the fact that Orioles are already scheduled to be home that night against the Chicago White Sox. Since the two teams share parking lots, the teams are never scheduled at home simultaneously.

It was thought the Ravens' opponent for the highly anticipated Thursday night opener -- expected to be the Steelers or Patriots -- would be announced at the owners meetings this week. But now that is on hold.

One solution would be moving the Ravens game to Wednesday night. That's what the NFL did this past season; the Giants' season opener against Dallas was moved to Wednesday so as to not conflict with President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention. But moving the game to Wednesday has been ruled out because it would conflict with Rosh Hashanah.

Another option would be moving the Orioles game to the afternoon. The Orioles would likely oppose that idea because day games generally draw smaller crowds, meaning less revenue. And as the Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec pointed out, any change in game time of more than three hours would require approval of the White Sox, Major League Baseball and the Players Association.

Both teams play away on Wednesday, Sept. 4; Chicago is at New York and the Orioles play in Cleveland. An Orioles game on Thursday would probably have to begin no later than noon, an additional hardship for teams traveling from other cities. Given that Ravens parking lots generally open to tailgating five hours before game time, a noon start might be possible.

Another potential option would be moving the Orioles game to a different date and playing a day-night doubleheader, but again, that might not be something the Orioles or the players approve of.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he has spoken to baseball commissioner Bud Selig twice on the issue but has not resolved anything. If no solution is found, the Ravens would likely open on the road.

?We have had discussions with representatives of the Orioles and we have offered to make them financially whole," Ravens president Dick Cass said. "We?ve left it there. Now the commissioner [Goodell] is trying to find if he can find a solution.?

Source: http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/ravens-talk/ravens-season-opener-home-doubt

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