NFL to Force More Live Coach Interviews With New 2024 Rule

Live interviews of coaches and players during, before and after NFL games have become a mainstay of the modern NFL broadcast.

Now, the NFL is forcing coaches to provide more live interviews in an effort to enhance the viewing experience.

NFL coaches will be required to give more live interviews

Prior to the new rules for 2024, coaches had the option of talking with reporters on the way in or out of the locker room at halftime.

In an article from Pro Football Talk, NFL V.P. of broadcasting rights, policies and compliance Cathy Yancy said that coaches will be required to give more in-game interviews.

“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. “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.”

Why is the NFL making coaches do this?

Interviewing coaches in the middle of games is already something that clearly gets under the skin of many coaches.

If coaches are already upset about the optional interviews that take place before or after halftime, why is the league making coaches give more interviews during the game? Yancy claims it enhances the viewer experience in the same article from Pro Football Talk.

“Because it’s good for the broadcast, it’s good for the fans,” Yancy said. “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.”

While the interviews can provide useful insight into the game that is currently happening, they more often than not fail to provide anything more than base-level coach speak that offers nothing to the viewer.

One instance in the 2023 season involved now-fired Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley agreeing to do an interview while going into halftime down 42-0. Staley’s response essentially amounts to “we have to play better in the second half.”

Brandon Staley does an interview with Amazon Prime Video going into halftime… with the Chargers trailing 42-0. 😬

“Appreciate the fact that he even stopped by for that interview. A lot of guys wouldn’t.”- Al Michaels #TNF pic.twitter.com/vEygCGGqHD

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 15, 2023

Many fans don’t think in-game interviews add value to NFL games

While the league is arguing that more in-game interviews will make the broadcast better, many fans took to social media to express their disdain for mid-game interviews.

A lot of fans think these types of interviews can not only serve as a distraction but are a waste of time for viewers and broadcasters alike.

Something no fans are asking for or care about.

— Daggert (@daggert57) July 28, 2024

I’m OK with a quick interview before halftime and after. In game interviews should be banned completely and are a distraction.

— TurtlePower98 (@sstaedtler98) July 28, 2024

They need to stop making rules so that people have jobs. If a player and/or coach doesn’t want to speak with the media, they should have that option.

— ARomano (@anthonyr522) July 28, 2024

So unnecessary to do that but the hogs that run the NFL don’t care sadly.

— Nickolai (@nwfisch) July 28, 2024

What a waste of time. Totally worthless nonsense. It adds nothing to the game, imo.

— Steve Mills (@Chiefey68) July 28, 2024

Prepare to hear absolutely nothing of substance multiple times a game in there “interviews”.

Well, we need to keep the offense going and hold them on defense. We’d like to get some more points in the board but our guys are playing hard…”

— M|§F|T (@Misfit4Ukr68491) July 28, 2024

Regardless of how fans, coaches and players might feel about more in-game interviews, the league will make them a part of every broadcast moving forward.

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