NFL talks about pulling plug on NFL Europa

[GMScud]

It's official. They folded. Here's the link:

ESPN - Passport expires: NFL Europa folds after 16 years - NFL

[dmek25]

they should be glad that they got 16 years out of it. the quality was really bad

[SmootSmack]

Seems to me like this is the right opportunity for Mark Cuban to swoop in with his proposed football league and go to the owners and say "Look, I've got the money. I'll bankroll a developmental league in the springtime here in the US for you guys"

[JoeRedskin]

Yeah, spring football in the US would probably work. The USFL was making a game of it until they tried to directly compete with the NFL. If the NFL actually encouraged rather than fight a new spring league - I bet it would flourish.

[Hoggie]

HI Guys,

I
Hi Guys,

I stay in Scotland and attended many a games in Scotland and Europe (okay Germany) It is fair to say that the crowds were bigger in Germany than Scotland or Spain but if you look at the population of Scotland, we have 5 million (give or take a few) we are big in soccer (american terms) the two top team in Scotland average 50-60 thousand the next in attendance in soccer is 13 Claymores were 10 thousand which is not to bad. What killed us of was the travel expenses.
I was born and bred in Scotland brought up playing football all through my youth and teens (scottish terms) MSL has just got David Beckam (LA Galaxy) surly you don't spend $120 million on something that will be gone in 5-10 years. BTW I was watching the tv some 25 years ago when our local tv station showed an american football game (redskins dolphins), since then i have been hooked and i would say that i prefer it to soccer

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

All they had was basically Germany in terms of teams and fans, and a lot of those fans probably were US servicemen/women who missed seeing AMerican football. I watched some games when it was still the WFL with Barcelona and the Scotland Monarchs still around. It was OK, but nothing too spectacular. The NFL has to be taking a real hit also paying out NFL contracts with only half filled soccer stadiums. FIFA is king in Europe anyway, just like the NFL is king here in the States, which is why MSL is probably going to fade away within 5-10 years.

[GusFrerotte]

Good idea Smootie. Cuban wants in football bad and being stuck watching baseball in the spring sucks. Spring sports up here in Detroit usually is good with the Wings and Pistons in the playoffs, but I can see a drop coming with both franchises, Tigers are cool, but not a big baseball guy. Spring football would be nice.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Good idea Smootie. Cuban wants in football bad and being stuck watching baseball in the spring sucks. Spring sports up here in Detroit usually is good with the Wings and Pistons in the playoffs, but I can see a drop coming with both franchises, Tigers are cool, but not a big baseball guy. Spring football would be nice.

I honestly can't even watch a baseball game. It's so damn boring it's ridicules. I can't even watch Sports Center cause it's all baseball highlights. Thank god for NFL Network cause that's all I watch.

But I agree. I would watch some spring football in the US. Anyhone know why Danny boi isn't on to this already?

[mooby]

I hope the NFL makes plans for a developmental league here in the states in the spring, I would support that idea because it would give fans football to watch from here in the states during the spring and it would also develop younger players that could be great provided they put the work in.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by mooby

I hope the NFL makes plans for a developmental league here in the states in the spring, I would support that idea because it would give fans football to watch from here in the states during the spring and it would also develop younger players that could be great provided they put the work in.

There's always Arena Football!

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Yes it is finally over. I could not be happier with that. I hated NFLE because people go over there and the media tries to hype up someone who sucks.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

There's always Arena Football!

And the Candian league as well.

[skinsguy]

I would love for the NFL to have spring minor league teams delegated through the US, kind of like how the MLB does with minor league baseball.

With the thoughts of expanding the league globally, that would be great business for the NFL, but think about the jet lag for the players.

[irish]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

There's always Arena Football!

The AFL is not football.

I love the CFL and would like to see the NFL adopt some of the rules used in the CFL. Obviously the CFL is not the NFL but at least its real football.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by irish

The AFL is not football.

I love the CFL and would like to see the NFL adopt some of the rules used in the CFL. Obviously the CFL is not the NFL but at least its real football.

How is the AFL not football, but the CFL is? If you're going to hate on one (which I don't know why you would), hate on them both

[irish]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

How is the AFL not football, but the CFL is? If you're going to hate on one (which I don't know why you would), hate on them both

Why do I have to like both or hate both? That's idiotic. I like the CFL and dont like the the AFL.

The CFL is played on a real field with a full compliment of players. AFL is played on a hockey rink with what 5 or 6 guys, thats not real football.

I dont hate the AFL any more than I hate monster trucks or poker. They are all interesting but not real sports.