Will Steelers-Chiefs time change impact UFC Phoenix ratings?
Will Steelers-Chiefs time change impact UFC Phoenix ratings?
A predicted ice storm for the Kansas City area on Sunday led the NFL to change the starting time for the divisional-round playoff game between the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium to 8:20 p.m. ET.
The game was supposed to begin at 1:05 p.m. ET. On Sunday night, the UFC will also run their UFC Fight Night 103 card from Phoenix, Arizona which will be live on FOX Sports 1.
The preliminary bouts begin at 8pm ET on FS 1, then the main card at 10. The card is headlined by the long-awaited return of UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn as he takes on Yair Rodriguez.
The worst of a winter storm that is predicted to dump as much as a half-inch of ice on Kansas City will pass through the area early on Sunday. The NFL said in a statement the game was moved because of public safety concerns.
According to Accuweather.com, there is an ice storm warning in effect from 7 p.m. ET Friday to 1 a.m. Monday. Expected total ice accumulations through the weekend are expected to be between one-quarter and one-half of an inch.
“Moving the game from the original 1:05 p.m. ET start time will provide local authorities more time to clear roads in the area as the weather is expected to improve throughout Sunday,” the statement said.
“The decision to make this time change was made in consultation with state and local officials as well as the Chiefs and the Steelers.”
Will the fans who might have normally turned in for MMA and the UFC when football turn away to watch the game? The winner of the game could potentially end up in the Super Bowl on February 5? What do you think? Will the UFC ratings be affected by the NFL time slot change?
