“This is really going to raise the stakes for the game,” said Goodell. “The Pro Bowl is no longer just a meaningless exhibition. There are consequences now. Hopefully this will encourage players to hit harder, coaches to coach more effectively, and fans to tune in. It worked for Major League Baseball. Why can’t it work for us?”

Goodell acknowledged that the plan “doesn’t make sense” but insisted it made even less sense to maintain the status quo.

“Look, I’ve heard a lot of people say this plan doesn’t make sense,” said Goodell. “And on some level, they’re right. But what makes even less sense is to continue the Pro Bowl in its current form. We had to do something, and this was much better than our original idea of playing the game on an ice rink at Fenway Park.”

Critics of the proposal point to the fact that NFL teams don’t play in the World Series and any benefit stemming from home field advantage would go to waste. Supporters say that, regardless of the logistical concerns, there is at least some incentive to win now, however pointless.

“At least now guys will have some motivation to play hard, especially guys like me who play on perennial contenders,” said Colts defender Dwight Freeney. “Plus I’m a huge baseball fans so this kind of resonates with me. Now I can tell my grandkids I had home field advantage in the World Series! For a football player, that’s a pretty big thrill.”

Major League Baseball has yet to publicly comment on the matter, but a league executive believes the NFL’s move is further proof that MLB’s home field advantage incentive has been a major success.

“This is just proof positive that the home field advantage thing has been a huge success,” said the executive. “I do wonder, though: why didn’t they just give the winners home field advantage in the Super Bowl? Sure, it would be a logistical nightmare and make no sense at all, but at least it's, you know, the right sport. I guess this is better for them because it seems like they're doing something when in fact they're keeping everything the same. Hey, these guys should run for office!”