How Ed Sheeran's tour shaped the 2018 NFL schedule

Many factors influence the NFL schedule each year, as the schedule-makers consider fans, broadcasting partners, and bye weeks when planning the 256-game slate.

This year, there was another thing to consider: Ed Sheeran's 2018 North American tour, which stops at several NFL stadiums on Saturdays this fall. Because of this, teams with Sheeran in town the Saturday before a game can't play at home the following day. There are eight such conflicts.

Detroit Lions president Ron Wood told Dana Sulonen of the Detroit Free Press that he didn't initially realize how much of an impact the British singer's tour was making across the league.

"We had a lot of concerts scheduled this year, so we had a few blackout dates," Wood said Thursday. "I didn't learn until talking to (Howard Katz), I think Ed Sheeran is in like half of the NFL stadiums this fall so every team had asked for a blackout for Ed Sheeran. I think they actually went to the tour and said you can't do every Saturday night in the fall. So some of those actually got moved."

There has been speculation as to why stadiums wouldn't be able to host an NFL game the day after Sheeran's show, with USA Today's Charles Curtis suggesting damage to the field or a lack of time to get the venue ready for football as possible issues. The league has yet to comment.