Pro Bowl Draft

The Pro Bowl continues to haul in substantial TV ratings for the NFL, year after year, but the tedious AFC-vs.-NFC format and a constant stream of players backing out of the game has left the league searching for a way to upgrade the experience.


What it’s come up with is this:

Starting with the upcoming Pro Bowl, to be held on Jan. 26 in Hawaii, the NFL will scrap the conference setup in favor of a “fantasy-like draft,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. NFL Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders each will captain a team, with the selection process airing Jan. 22 on NFL Network. (The NHL All-Star Game has televised its ‘fantasy All-Star draft’ since it moved to this format in 2010.) Each team will consist of 43 players (same number as previously allotted to the AFC and NFC), but kickoffs no longer will be a part of the game itself. (Source: NFL Network)