Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post - NFL Regular Season Games Overseas: Good or Bad Idea?

SmootSmack · 10-26-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SantanaMan

I didn't think I'd be reading such closeminded comments as have been posted - I believe that a lot of the posters here don't a have a clue how popular the NFL is outside of the USA!!!!!!

The NFL is, and has been a global sporting phenomenon for decades - the viewing figures are sky-high (something like a billion people viewing in over 225 countries worldwide!).
Sure, it involves losing ONE home game every 16 years - but in NFL business terms it opens the games to a much bigger viewing audience, which in turn will increase revenue when more fans become interested which in turn benefits the league and indvidual teams.
I believe the talk has been about having it coincide with bye weeks etc, and each team I'm sure will know well in advance (maybe even a few seasons in advance) that they will be taking part.

I am very shocked at the "its ours, go away" attitude, but unfortunately I find that a lot - many US based sports fans feel, that as europeans/foriegners that we cannot possibly be as fervent or diehard supporters as them and that they must know more as its "their" sport.

I played college soccer (and won a national champioship) in the states, some of the most knowledgable soccer fans i met were amercians (but, how, surely its not THEIR sport? :-p ).
Heck, don't let USA host the World Cup, what do they know about soccer (again sarcasm for those that may misread it).
The WC opened soccer up more to USA, as will this venture by the NFL, don't be a hater, embrace it.

Again, I as a european, bleed burgundy and gold, I live for football each and every day - I stay up to stupid hours to watch the games live (MNF kicks off at 1.30am here, so can be up till 5 or later on a Tuesday morning!), I haven't missed a Skins game in years due to paying to watch each and every game,I watch all 3 games sunday, MNF and then replays of others when available, ESPN, NFL Network are contants on in my house - I hate basically every european sport (I played soccer, but not a fan per se).
Does someone, just because they live in VA, or MI or whereever make them a better fan due to where they live, HELL NO!

Yes, it may be the "National" football league, but you play for the "World" championship ;-)

I agree with all you say. The only issue I have is that fans only get to see their teams a few number of times each year, unlike the 80+ times a baseball fan can see their team. And all I'm saying is if you're going to take that away from the core fan to grow the sport globally, which is understable, then you have to give something back to that fan. Give them a free preseason game for example.