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Post by scout200 on Dec 16, 2010 11:24:47 GMT -5
There's been a lot of talk about the NFL expanding internationally... Do you think the NFL will give up home games in order to reach out to a larger base? How do you think this will impact the NFL?
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Post by Banana Cat on Dec 16, 2010 20:15:22 GMT -5
They've already given up home games (London) the past few years. Eventually there will be a team outside the U.S., the only question is when.
I lived in Germany when NFL Europe (then the World League of American Football) started and it was highly successful and well-received throughout Germany (moreso than the UK who had London and Scotland). If it was my money, Germany would be my first expansion target, followed by Canada, Mexico City, London, and Tokyo. This is all many years away though and probably a lot of us won't see it in our lifetime (you know, those of us who'll get hit by a bus, choke on a chicken bone, get knifed by the ex in our sleep, hit by an asteroid, etc).
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Post by scout200 on Dec 17, 2010 15:53:44 GMT -5
They've already given up home games (London) the past few years. Eventually there will be a team outside the U.S., the only question is when. I lived in Germany when NFL Europe (then the World League of American Football) started and it was highly successful and well-received throughout Germany (moreso than the UK who had London and Scotland). If it was my money, Germany would be my first expansion target, followed by Canada, Mexico City, London, and Tokyo. This is all many years away though and probably a lot of us won't see it in our lifetime (you know, those of us who'll get hit by a bus, choke on a chicken bone, get knifed by the ex in our sleep, hit by an asteroid, etc). LOL, Excellent point! I'm pretty split on the idea. As you know, there are only 16 games during a 17 week season. Typically, a team plays 2 home games in the pre-season, and 8 home games in the regular season. It's nothing like the NBA where 82 games are played by each team and half of those are home games. Taking away one home game from fans is a big deal. Yet, many believe that giving the brand an international presence will actually help provide a better experience for the fans and help local economies in the long run.
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Post by Banana Cat on Dec 17, 2010 20:12:33 GMT -5
As far as 16 games in a season, that will end this year. Next year the NFL WILL go to 18 games (which I think is a bad move for player durability).
That gives teams an extra regular season home game and is the perfect opportunity to use to have more regular season games outside the U.S. Knowing the NFL, London is still their main target, but I'd guess Mexico City would be their second option. The Buffalo Bills were playing a regular season game in Toronto to test the waters for a possible move there, but I think they're done with that (haven't checked though).
Hard to say though. The NFL is hurting for revenue compared to years past (according to them at least) and I'm sure teams won't want to let go of a home game unless they are fairly compensated for it (which I'm sure would be done). I know Jerry Jones would never give up a home game though.
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