Packers president on neutral site conference championship games: ‘Would be a big mistake’
Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy is not in favor of a future involving neutral site conference championship games in the NFC and AFC.
The subject rose to prominence when the NFL used Atlanta as a neutral site location in the event of an AFC title game featuring the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. The game never happened, but the idea took root and some wondered if the NFL would eventually angle for neutral site title games.
Murphy, who represents the team among league owners, strongly dismissed the idea in his monthly Q&A post at Packers.com.
“I have never heard the topic of neutral site championship games discussed at a league meeting and think it would be a big mistake,” Murphy wrote.
The Packers president sees the idea as hurtful to the value of the regular season and the local economies that host title games.
“Teams play the entire regular season with the goal of making the playoffs and hosting home playoff games,” Murphy said. “Playing conference championship games at the home team’s stadium is great for the home team’s local economy, the fans and the players, and obviously provides a competitive advantage to the home team.”
The city of Green Bay would be especially hurt by neutral site title games.
The Packers last hosted an NFC title game at Lambeau Field following the 2020 season.
Title games were played in Philadelphia and Kansas City last weekend. The Eagles and Chiefs both advanced to the Super Bowl.
“It would be a huge mistake to do away with games like this that mean so much to fans, players and the league,” Murphy said.
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