The Indoor Football League took to Monday night when the San Diego Strike Force and Duke City Gladiators opened the season last weekend.
Surprisingly, it will not be the only Monday night game, with two more Monday night matchups littering the schedule. Despite the significant disadvantages for fans, the IFL schedule has plenty of weeknight games. Several Thursday and Friday night games also dot the schedule. Still, these games can help the league increase its credibility and reach.
Table of Contents
CBS and IFL Partnership
Since 2023, CBS Sports Network has been the television home of the Indoor Football League National Championship. Having just the league’s championship on a network with vast reach and contracts with several Division I athletic conferences boosted the credibility of the IFL. The league should now make the most of its weeknight games and air them on CBS Sports Network.
Due to their reliance on college athletics for programming, the CBS Sports Network needs live sports programming in the late Spring to Summer period. The IFL can fill this hole with their weeknight games. The IFL will never be able to compete with weekend broadcasts of major sports on the Big Four Networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC). However, they can draw more respectable numbers on weeknights without sports on the Big Four Networks.
Alternative Football Offers Niche Market
Additionally, more alternative football content can increase the CBS Sports Network’s marketability. The CBS Sports Network made a significant leap when they partnered with the Canadian Football League last season. Multiple alternative football leagues could entice more diehard football fans to subscribe to cable/streaming packages with access to CBS Sports Network.
The network can also cater its schedule to create a football programming block that showcases the IFL and CFL. For example, on Friday, June 14, the Green Bay Blizzard will host the Jacksonville Sharks at 8:05 ET. The IFL can move the start of that game to 7:00 ET to serve as lead-in programming for a CFL game hosted by a Western Division team. This move can draw CFL fans to the IFL and vice versa.
CBS Sports Network has already done much to improve the IFL’s standing by airing the league’s title game. Nevertheless, CBS Sports Network can increase the IFL’s exposure while benefitting its main alternative football partner, the CFL. CBS Sports Network airing weeknight IFL games is a mutually beneficial move for all parties involved.
Sponsor: Upside
This article and so much more is brought to you by Upside. Upside is a free not strings attached app that will pay you cashback for the purchases you already make. Gas, Groceries, or a Good Meal, with just 3 clicks, you can earn CashBack today at HUNDREDS of locations. Use our code Sam363682 to save an additional 15 cents per gallon on your next fuel purchase. With discounts up to 25 cents per gallon, you could earn 40 cents back per gallon on your first purchase. Again use our code Sam363682 at sign up.
YouTube
Please also help us continue growing on our YouTube Channel by subscribing if you haven’t already. Also like and comment on any videos you enjoy! Thank you for your support and we hope you continue to tune in!
Are you on Discord do you like sports? Including leagues like:
Indoor Football League
Join the conversation, promote yourself, your content or your sports related brand, give us your hot takes or if you’re a player/coach/scout.
Stay up to date on try outs/bowl games
Put up a profile in our player profile section
Promote Team Events
Connect with fans/players
Discover more from Shady Sports Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.