To give fans more opportunities to watch a greater number of teams in the coming years, the bj-league ought to expand the season. I'd say go with a 64-game schedule next season.
That would enable the viewing public to see more non-conference opponents and a greater variety of players.
More games means more chances for all players to work on their games, to find ways to improve. It would also provide more marketing opportunities -- and hey, experiment with new aggressive promotions -- and give the press more time to focus on local and regional teams and national themes in their reporting.
The current 52-game schedule is a decent number, a long season for sure. But when it takes a team nearly six months to play its first non-conference foe (such as Ryukyu and Yokohama experienced this past weekend when they squared off), there are serious flaws in the way the schedule is assembled.
Here's what I'd do: Begin the season again in October, or maybe a couple weeks earlier in mid-September. Extend it a few more weeks.
Playing almost all games against a conference opponent is lousy.
Due to nonstop expansion since its inception in 2005, the number of teams' opponents has risen dramatically. The original six teams had a 40-game season in 2005-06, and eight clubs competed in 2006-07, also a 40-game campaign. Well, the number of teams has since gone up (in subsequent seasons) to 10, 12, 13, 16, 20, and now 21, while the schedule has increased slightly from the aforementioned 40 to 44 in 2007-08, and then its current 52 in 2008-09.
It's time for another adjustment. Many more teams means an increase in games should be a priority.
That would enable the viewing public to see more non-conference opponents and a greater variety of players.
More games means more chances for all players to work on their games, to find ways to improve. It would also provide more marketing opportunities -- and hey, experiment with new aggressive promotions -- and give the press more time to focus on local and regional teams and national themes in their reporting.
The current 52-game schedule is a decent number, a long season for sure. But when it takes a team nearly six months to play its first non-conference foe (such as Ryukyu and Yokohama experienced this past weekend when they squared off), there are serious flaws in the way the schedule is assembled.
Here's what I'd do: Begin the season again in October, or maybe a couple weeks earlier in mid-September. Extend it a few more weeks.
Playing almost all games against a conference opponent is lousy.
Due to nonstop expansion since its inception in 2005, the number of teams' opponents has risen dramatically. The original six teams had a 40-game season in 2005-06, and eight clubs competed in 2006-07, also a 40-game campaign. Well, the number of teams has since gone up (in subsequent seasons) to 10, 12, 13, 16, 20, and now 21, while the schedule has increased slightly from the aforementioned 40 to 44 in 2007-08, and then its current 52 in 2008-09.
It's time for another adjustment. Many more teams means an increase in games should be a priority.
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