FanPost

leaked NFL document reveals radical realignment plan!

DATE: April 1, 2014

FROM: Commissioner Roger Goodell

TO: Team Owners

RE: Thematic Realignment Concept

Gentlemen,

This note is to share with all owners I concept I've already mentioned informally to several of you – the possibility of enhancing our business by realigning the divisions on the basis of "themes" instead of geography. I'll elaborate in later communications, but the basic idea is to improve our ability to market our product to the very young (under-12) potential fan base. While certainly this age group has little ability to drive ticket sales, a substantial under-12 presence in the television audience will expand the universe of potential television advertisers. And of course we'll expect to realize substantial growth in the size and scope of NFL-branded merchandise sales, including toys and child-size clothing.

Below is one (not-quite-complete) example of how this realignment might be done. If approved and fast-tracked, a plan of this kind might be ready in time for the 2016 season, although 2017 would be more realistic.

First, of course, we'll need marketing studies to estimate the potential gains in viewership and and revenue. I will soon present a proposal to expend approximately $2 million for the hiring of consultants to analyze the impacts of this idea. In the meantime, I'll be most interested in hearing your opinions!

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BIG CATS CONFERENCE

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

FEATHERED FRIENDS CONFERENCE

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles

HEROS CONFERENCE

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

HOOVES & HORNS CONFERENCE

Buffalo Bills

Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts

St. Louis Rams

OLD WEST CONFERENCE

Dallas Cowboys

Kansas City Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Redskins

OCEAN CONFERENCE

Miami Dolphins

Oakland Raiders

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"BIG" CONFERENCE

New York Giants

Tennessee Titans

Chicago Bears

New York Jets

? CONFERENCE

Green Bay Packers

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Diego Chargers

Cleveland Browns