Why is Raiders vs Chiefs played on Black Friday? When did the tradition start?
NFL games are generally never scheduled on Fridays or Saturdays, although Black Friday has become a recent exception.
The NFL has scheduled games on Thanksgiving for as long as most of us can remember, with food, family and football a winning holiday combination in many American households. But although the big day might be over, the on-field action isn’t, with the Las Vegas Raiders taking on the Kansas City Chiefs on Black Friday (November 29).
Why aren’t NFL games played on Fridays or Saturdays?
Generally speaking, NFL games are never scheduled on Fridays (although there have been a few exceptions over the years). Since the establishment of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, pro football games can’t be broadcast nationally on Friday nights (after 6:00 p.m.) or Saturdays between the second Friday in September and the second Saturday in December, with a view to protecting attendances at high school and college football.
Technically, that’s only if the pro game is being played within 75 miles of at least one high school or college game, although that’s almost always the case.
Gobble up, Chiefs Kingdom! Happy Thanksgiving, and we’ll see you tomorrow 🦃 pic.twitter.com/S874bTpqh8
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 28, 2024
The original of Black Friday football
In 2023, however, Amazon Prime Video saw an opportunity to exploit fans still having football fever after a Thanksgiving triple header. Although Black Friday isn’t a federal holiday, it is a public holiday in some states and some businesses close or grant paid time off, similar to Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
With more people looking for something to do than on your average Friday, why not show an NFL game earlier in the day, avoiding the broadcasting blackout?
The first Black Friday game took place last year, with the Miami Dolphins crushing the Jets 34-13 at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff was at 3:00 p.m ET, which meant the NFL stuck to the rules of no (or very little) football after 6:00 p.m.
How and where to watch Raiders - Chiefs on Black Friday
It will be a similar story this year as the Chiefs host the Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Once more, a 3:00 p.m ET start should see the game finish a little after 6:00 p.m., which is permitted.
To watch, all you need is a standard Amazon Prime or Amazon Prime Video subscription, unless you’re in the Kansas City area, in which case KSHB-TV 41 is the place to go.
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