Inside the Making of an NFL Schedule: The Art and Science of Creating Game Schedules

🔑There are nearly 1 billion possible options for each NFL team when creating the game schedule.

🎯The NFL schedule is created by considering factors like team rivalries, travel distance, and competitive fairness.

💡Software optimization tools, powered by AWS, are used to analyze the infinite solution space and find the best possible schedule.

❓Common challenges in scheduling include avoiding three-game road trips, road games after Monday night games, and early bye weeks.

⌛The schedule-making process involves collaboration between NFL executives and industry experts, with input from team owners and broadcasters.

How many possible schedules can be created for each NFL team?

—There are nearly 1 billion possible schedules for each NFL team, considering factors like opponent, location, and timing.

What factors are considered in creating the NFL schedule?

—The NFL schedule takes into account factors like team rivalries, travel distance, competitive fairness, and television broadcast schedules.

How is the infinite solution space of scheduling tackled?

—Software optimization tools, powered by AWS, are utilized to analyze the vast solution space and find the most suitable schedule.

What are some common challenges in creating the NFL schedule?

—Common challenges include avoiding three-game road trips, road games after Monday night games, early bye weeks, and creating a fair distribution of home and away games.

How is collaboration involved in the schedule-making process?

—The schedule-making process involves collaboration between NFL executives, industry experts, team owners, and broadcasters to ensure a balanced and compelling schedule.

00:00Introduction to the complexity and challenges of creating the NFL game schedule.

05:59Explanation of Val Pinchbeck's role as the legendary schedule maker of the NFL.

07:51Transition to the use of software optimization and AWS in the schedule-making process.

09:08Description of the process of building the schedule using optimal planning solutions and Gerobi optimization.

10:26Explanation of the considerations and rules involved in creating the NFL schedule, including competitive fairness.