Have you ever wondered why sports games start at odd times? It's not unusual for a game to start at 7:05 or 8:37, instead of the more common 7:00 or 8:30. While it may seem like a minor detail, there are actually several reasons why sports games start at odd times.

Television Broadcasting

One of the main reasons why sports games start at odd times is because of television broadcasting. Networks pay significant amounts of money to broadcast games, and they want to maximize their advertising revenue. By starting games at odd times, they can fit in more commercials and generate more revenue.

In addition, networks may want to avoid competing with other programming that airs at traditional start times. For example, they may start a game at 7:05 to avoid competing with a popular prime time television show that starts at 7:00.

Travel Time

Another reason why sports games start at odd times is because of travel time for the teams. In many cases, teams have to travel long distances to get to their games. By starting games at odd times, they can avoid rush hour traffic and ensure that they arrive at the stadium on time.

Time Zones

Time zones can also play a role in why sports games start at odd times. For example, a game that starts at 7:00 on the East Coast of the United States would start at 4:00 on the West Coast. By starting the game at 7:05, it allows West Coast fans to get off work and make it to the game on time.

Flex Scheduling

Some leagues, such as the National Football League (NFL), have implemented flex scheduling. This allows the league to move games to different times and days based on their importance and popularity. By starting games at odd times, it gives the league more flexibility to move games around as needed.

Local Market Considerations

Finally, local market considerations can also play a role in why sports games start at odd times. For example, a team may start a game at 7:05 to attract more families with young children. This allows the game to end earlier, so parents can get their kids to bed on time.

Overall, there are many reasons why sports games start at odd times. From television broadcasting to travel time and time zones, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the start time of a game. While it may seem like a small detail, it can have a big impact on the viewing experience for fans.

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