Matthew Boguski, Paw Print Editor
April 23, 2021
The Logistics of Moving an NFL Team
By Matt Boguski
Paw Print – Editor
In 2017, National Football League teams on an average $4,000,000 on travel, it really makes you wonder what it takes for teams to spend so much money with only 8 away games.
In the 2020 season, the Green Bay Packers were almost always moving, having had only two occasions in which the team stayed at home for more than a week. This means that out of the seventeen-week season, the team had to travel by plane fourteen times. A single flight alone can be pretty taxing on a person, although combine that with having to travel almost every week, going through different timezones, up to forty-eight multi-million dollar contract players, tons of other staff members, and other forms of equipment, and you got yourself a logistical nightmare.
Throughout the season, a majority of the teams use charter jets from airlines such as American, Delta, and United Airlines to travel. If you have ever gone on a field trip using those higher-end buses, those are charter buses. Essentially, chartering an airline’s jet allows for the team to use the jet privately, without having to deal with the hassle of actually owning the jet. According to The Points Guy, chartering an aircraft can cost tens of thousands of dollars an hour alone. Although American and United Airlines both started dropping clients from using their aircraft as charters when they realized that using them for normal commercial service was more profitable.
Yet one team decides to get past all the issues with chartering by outright owning two Boeing 767 wide-body airliners. The New England Patriots. According to Business Insider, the two aircraft are believed to have cost around ten million dollars. Although it is estimated that owning the former American Airlines jet can be more cost-efficient for the team as the prices for flying, especially a charter jet, increase over time.
“ So when it comes to moving an NFL team across the country it is not for one, an easy task, but even worse, not cheap.
As an avid enthusiast in sports logistics, particularly the intricacies of managing the movement of NFL teams, I find the logistics behind the scenes truly fascinating. The level of coordination and planning involved in relocating an entire NFL team is nothing short of a logistical masterpiece. Allow me to delve into the concepts touched upon in the article written by Matthew Boguski on April 23, 2021, titled "The Logistics of Moving an NFL Team."
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Travel Expenditure: The article mentions that in 2017, NFL teams spent an average of $4,000,000 on travel. This figure highlights the substantial financial investment required to ensure the seamless movement of teams, considering they only have eight away games in a season.
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Frequency of Travel for Teams: Focusing on the Green Bay Packers in the 2020 season, the article points out that the team was almost constantly on the move, staying at home for more than a week only twice during the seventeen-week season. This emphasizes the rigorous travel schedule that NFL teams endure, with the Packers having to take a plane for fourteen out of the seventeen weeks.
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Challenges of Frequent Travel: The article underscores the challenges associated with frequent travel, especially for a large group of individuals, including players, staff members, and equipment. The toll of frequent flights, traversing different time zones, and managing a considerable number of personnel and resources contributes to a logistical nightmare.
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Charter Jets Usage: Most NFL teams utilize charter jets from major airlines such as American, Delta, and United Airlines. Chartering provides teams with the convenience of using private jets without the hassles of ownership. The cost of chartering an aircraft is highlighted, with The Points Guy mentioning that it can run into tens of thousands of dollars per hour.
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Ownership of Aircraft by the New England Patriots: An intriguing aspect discussed in the article is the New England Patriots' decision to own two Boeing 767 wide-body airliners, bypassing the challenges associated with chartering. Business Insider estimates the cost of these aircraft to be around ten million dollars. The rationale behind this decision is the potential cost efficiency, especially as prices for flying, particularly charter jets, tend to increase over time.
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Behind-the-Scenes Appreciation: The concluding statement emphasizes the complexity and expense of moving an NFL team across the country. As a viewer, understanding the behind-the-scenes logistics adds an extra layer of appreciation for the colossal events that are NFL games.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the financial, operational, and strategic aspects of moving an NFL team, shedding light on the challenges faced and the creative solutions employed by teams, such as the New England Patriots, in navigating the logistics of constant travel.
