Pro Bowl or Show Bowl?

   Change the way you look at things the things you look at change! Should the NFL have a Pro Bowl or a Show Bowl?

    Recently, it was reported that the NFL’s Pro Bowl game will be moving to Orlando’s Citrus Bowl for 2017. The NFL says Honolulu, Houston, and Sydney were also among the bidders for the game, but Orlando is reportedly putting $3 million in tax dollars into the game. Rumor has it, Honolulu paid more than $4 million per year to have the game in Hawaii and covered an additional $152,000 in event costs in 2014. The big problem with these big financial outlays is that the Pro Bowl is not an effective driver of tourism. Studies of Hawaii’s airports showed no statistical, significant increase in tourism associated with the game.

   That raises the question, how can the Pro Bowl be improved? I think the NFL Pro Bowl should become the NFL Show Bowl. First of all, the NFL should do an Undrafted Free Agent game for all those players who didn’t make the league and still want a shot! The game could be sponsored by the NFLPA, and have the Pro Bowlers coaching their respective positions. These players would give 100%, there would be great “B” roll for television and maybe even a few would get drafted in the following draft!

   Rookie Games and Young All-Star games don't work for the NFL because of injury risk, and skill contests, like the Home Run Derby in baseball, Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contests in the NBA, and the NHL’s hardest shot, shooting accuracy and fastest skating competitions, still have inherent risks. The NFL previously had a flag football game as part of the Pro Bowl festivities, and in 1999 Patriots' running back, Robert Edwards suffered a knee injury during the game and never fully recovered.

   With those options off the table, what should the NFL do? What about a punt, pass, and kick contest, like they do for kids?  Not a chance…I think what would be more marketable would be the Senior Bowl on Saturday along with a virtual Madden Pro Bowl that's sponsored by EA Sports—similar to what EA Sports has done at previous Super Bowls. Then finishing the weekend with a televised awards show similar to NFL Honors would take the “Show Bowl” to the next level. Instead of missing out on dozens of top athletes who are either playing in the Super Bowl or, moreover, choose not to participate in the current Pro Bowl format, an awards show would help increase the attendance of NFL stars. If any of the Show Bowl participants chose not to come to the awards show with their families, they can choose to participate remotely through Blue Jeans Network or Skype.

   Where should the NFL host this new Pro Bowl/Show Bowl? The best location for this would obviously be Los Angeles after completion of the new stadium, especially since Hollywood is right around the corner. Combining the bright lights of Hollywood with an Undrafted Free Agent game, a Virtual Pro Bowl, and an awards show would create an amazing money-making weekend. The NFL could have its Pro Bowl/Show Bowl every year in Los Angeles, with all of its stars, sponsors, and even a little Tinseltown flair for the whole world to share.

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