A source affiliated with the NFL office confirmed yesterday that the Phillies' refusal to liberate an open date in September has delayed the release of the full NFL schedule. It was due to be released Tuesday. The Phillies play in Veterans Stadium Sunday, Sept. 23, have off Monday and close the home season with a three-game series beginning Tuesday. They want to save Monday for a rain date. The Phils could use the day after the season ends as a rain date, but Major League Baseball usually does not request games to be played after the season ends unless they have playoff implications.
Teams simply lose the revenue from that date.
The Eagles would play St. Louis, Oakland or Minnesota on Sept. 24. They could lose their chance at the prime-time game if the date remains unavailable. The Eagles did not return calls concerning the matter, but the source said they are incensed. The NFL also has not returned several calls from the Daily News over the past few weeks. The league wants to keep that date open as a possible makeup date for a rainout.