It is week two of the NFL playoffs the perfect time for the ideapreneur to apply his right-brain thinking to the venerable game of football.

The NFL is constantly making lots of small changes to the rules. For instance,  this year, they moved the kickoff spot forward five yards.  The explanation was that this would reduce the number of injuries on special teams.  I’m not sure if it worked but it gave Howard R. and me an even better idea for making NFL football more fun, faster and less expensive.  Like many good ideas it is really simple: Do away with kickoffs completely.  Instead have one of the cheerleader babes spin a wheel, a la Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune, and the result of the spin would be where the next series starts.

The advantages of the kickoff spin are obvious.  Less injuries of course but also less personnel, a more important role for the cheerleaders who until this idea have been marginalized, and the game would be about five minutes shorter.  All good ideas.  It also gives a reason to leave the cameras on the cheerleaders during the spin and offers a great corporate sponsorship opportunity.

Naysayers will argue that the kickoff spin introduces an element of chance into a skill based game.  The answer is that ultimately the game is about entertainment and if the kickoff spin makes game more competitive and fun for the fans then it is good for the game.  It certainly is worth a try.

Next week:  The twelfth man wins a game.