I believe this has only started recently -- it's just a marketing attempt to hype the NFL. I believe this started in 2001 -- before 9/11. With the NFL season set to kick off in New York, the league and ABC decided to make it a grand specacle with pre-game performances from Time Square and such. The trend has continued since.
There was a lockout to start the 2011-12 NBA season, which ended on December 8, 2011. The first regular season game was played on December 25, 2011.
Thursday September 10, 2009
first preseason game was October 13th and the season starts on the 30th
packers vs lions
In 2011, the Steelers first regular season game was on September 11th.
The first game of the season was scheduled for the Thursday following Labor Day.
Thursday 9-10-09
The first regular-season game of the 2010 season will be Thursday, September 9, 2010; the Vikings at the Saints. (8:30pm Eastern time, on NBC.)
They played their first game at the start of the season
As the defending Super Bowl champion, the Green Bay Packers will host the first game of the season on Thursday night, Sept. 8, at Lambeau Field.
New Jersey Nets had, 0 win and 18 loss to start there NBA season. Then they won there first game of the NBA Season. Miami Heat had, 0 win and 17 loss to start there NBA Season. Then they won there first game of the NBA Season.
The Steelers first game of the 2009 season was played on Thursday, September 10th. The Steelers defeated the Tennessee Titans 13-10 in overtime.
The first game will be on the Thursday after Labor Day when the New Orleans Saints will open up their season as defending Super Bowl champions - the opponant has yet to be named but there is speculation it will be the Minnesota Vikings, the team the Saints defeated in the NFC Title Game.
The 2007 NFL regular season starts September 6 with New Orleans at Indianapolis. That is a Thursday night game. The regular season concludes December 30 and the Super Bowl will be played February 3, 2008.
There was a lockout to start the 2011-12 NBA season, which ended on December 8, 2011. The first regular season game was played on December 25, 2011.
The 2013-2014 NFL season will start the first week of September. Preseason will start the second week of August. And the Hall of Fame Game will be August 4th.
The 2013-2014 NFL season will start the first week of September. Preseason will start the second week of August. And the Hall of Fame Game will be August 4th.