The Auction System Can Fix NFL’s Overtime

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↵Rich McKay, co-chairman of the NFL’s competition committee, said two days ago that sudden death overtime in the NFL is “good” because it’s “fun.” Then, in his next breath, acknowledged that 60% of the time, the team that wins the coin flip wins the game. How fun. ↵↵McKay claims they’re looking into solutions to fix the overtime system. As Jon Bois at Mouthpiece points out, a recent Slate article analyzes an incredibly awesome overtime alternative:↵

↵↵⇥An ... elegant solution to the overtime problem was proposed in 2002 by Chris Quanbeck, an electrical engineer (and Green Bay Packers fan). Quanbeck’s idea was to auction off possession of the ball in the natural currency of the game: field position. The team that was willing to begin closest to its own goal line would receive the privilege of possession. ↵⇥↵⇥Football’s number crunchers reckon that this “privilege” turns dubious about 15 to 20 yards away from your own goal line. That is, the expected value of having the ball so far back is negative -- it’s more likely that your opponent will score before you do. But it’s not clear that the same would be true in overtime, when teams would be attempting to get within field-goal range rather than trying for touchdowns. If this system were implemented, it might take a couple of seasons for a consensus to develop about how far back is too far back. Still, everyone would be trying to work that out from a position of equal ignorance. ↵⇥

↵↵This idea might not be as good as any that KSK proposes, but it’s certainly fairer than the current system. And that’s not even my opinion. It’s math. A Columbia economist used a bunch of mind-blowing formulas to determine that the auction system is the best solution. ↵↵My only stipulation: There must be a lectern with an actual auctioneer presiding over the bidding war. I would appreciate it if he’d also be wearing a cowboy hat and holding a gavel. If we’re gonna do this, it has to be authentic. ↵

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