A key individual in the NFL’s media operation, Howard Katz, is retiring this May after nearly 20 years of leading the creation of the NFL schedule. This news was first reported by Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal. Katz has been instrumental in developing the NFL’s modern scheduling practices, serving as the central figure that every team and network approaches before the schedule’s release each spring and the one they turn to with grievances afterward.
The complexity of Katz’s job increased with the addition of more television partners and the growing role of technology in schedule-building. As he noted, “The key was to be fair and equitable, and know at the end of the day, you could look someone in the eye and say you did the best we could.” The task of scheduling is continuous; Katz was responsible for balancing the diverse desires of 32 franchises alongside the demands of television partners and contractual obligations. Furthermore, the recent introduction of flex scheduling has added an entirely new dimension to his role.
If Katz were to highlight a standout accomplishment from his career, it would be managing to complete the entire 2020 NFL season during the COVID pandemic without canceling a single game. “Getting every game played in the COVID season is probably the most remarkable accomplishment I’ve been part of,” he told SBJ. “We played every day of the week, in that season. Literally every single day of the week. The fact we got every game played is just an incredible testament to Roger Goodell, and all the football operations team, and the scheduling people. Everyone who played a part in that should be really proud.”
As Katz prepares to retire in May, it remains uncertain who will assume this vital position. The new appointee will undoubtedly wield significant influence over the structure of NFL Sundays for years to come.
