Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the NFL is discussing playing two games on Thursday nights, according to Sports Business Daily.
That contradicts a statement from the NFL, which denied a report by the Wall Street Journal earlier in the week that quoted a source saying the league is considering a Thursday night doubleheader.
But Jones, who also chairs the NFL Network Committee, said Thursday night doubleheaders are a possibility.
“We could easily have a doubleheader on Thursday,” he said. “I don’t think that is out of the realm of thought; we haven’t set up how we will do it.”
When asked if a second Thursday night game would also air on NFL Network or another network, he said all options are open.
The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the league is disappointed that the NFL Network game is not drawing more viewers and is considering adding a second game for a doubleheader package that might create more interest. The league currently has 13 games on Thursday nights during the regular season.
The NFL has reportedly discussed the idea with media entities but has not put together a specific package yet. There is speculation that Google and Netflix could be among the potential buyers of a new package.
League spokesman Brian McCarthy responded to the report on Twitter, writing, “Wondering where the idea of Thursday night doubleheaders came from? So are we. We have not considered this. Haven’t even discussed it.”