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Football => The Rest of the NFL => Topic started by: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM

Title: NFL going international?
Post by: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM
The NFL, as you all know, is clearly making a strong push to strengthen its appeal internationally.  I believe it was last year that a regular season game was played in Mexico City, and a regular season game between the Giants and the Dolphins is scheduled to be played in London this year.  Though a preseason game in China was cancelled for this year it appears that the NFL is hoping to organize a game for the 09 season.  It's certainly in the best interests of any American sports league to attempt to expand viewership in international markets.  The NBA is making a push and the MLB has made major strides in internationalizing its product.  I'm wondering about your opinions in regards to three specific issues regarding the NFL's attempts in this matter.

1.  Do you think the attempts by the NFL to hold pre and regular season games abroad will lead to international appeal in places like Mexico, Canada, Europe, and China, will lead to any discernible increase in revenue for the league? 

2.  Do you think that NFL teams will sprout up outside of the United States within the next few decades, and if so, where?

3.  Do you think that, the sport would be more appealing to Americans if its membership included teams which were not within US boundaries? 

I encourage you to answer any or all of these questions.  I want to leave my opinions out of the original question, because I'm simply curious what people think about this issue.  Talk amongst ya'selves.
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Stallworth Supporter on April 02, 2007, 12:24:27 AM
Dude!  Way wrong section!!
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Don Ho on April 02, 2007, 12:38:08 AM
move the raiders to Hawaii!
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:39:29 AM
"Dude!  Way wrong thread!!"


please tell me what a right thread is.  
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: PhillyandBCEagles on April 02, 2007, 01:43:49 AM
Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM1.  Do you think the attempts by the NFL to hold pre and regular season games abroad will lead to international appeal in places like Mexico, Canada, Europe, and China, will lead to any discernible increase in revenue for the league? 

No

Quote2.  Do you think that NFL teams will sprout up outside of the United States within the next few decades, and if so, where?

Canada could be a possibility I guess, but other than that, no.  There won't be an NFL team outside the US or Canada in our lifetime.  I do think it's worth mentioning (and the NFL will note) that of the 4 major US sports teams (excluding hockey, which has far deeper roots in Canada) that have been located outside the US, the two located in Toronto have both prospered while the two located outside Toronto both ended up moving to the US (one within 6 years).  Toronto is really the only realistic non-US city to get an NFL franchise in the foreseeable future.

Quote3.  Do you think that, the sport would be more appealing to Americans if its membership included teams which were not within US boundaries? 

I don't think anyone would care
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Cerevant on April 02, 2007, 06:51:44 AM
Not wrong thread - wrong section.  This should go in The Rest of the NFL (http://www.concretefield.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0).

A franchise in Toronto would make my life easier - especially if it is in the NFC East ;D
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Diomedes on April 02, 2007, 09:22:54 AM
Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM1.  Do you think the attempts by the NFL to hold pre and regular season games abroad will lead to international appeal in places like Mexico, Canada, Europe, and China, will lead to any discernible increase in revenue for the league?

It might lead to more appeal internationally, I don't know.  Seems to me that Europe and Canada are the best bets, because they actually play the game or see it played on a regular basis.  I know NFL Europe isn't the most popular thing in the world, but it's there to be seen and some do go.  Without that, it's hard for me to see how a country/community could really get into a sport.  They don't play it in their schools, etc..
I really don't care if the league makes more money.   I'd rather like them to make less, as a matter of fact...their corporate profits at all costs mentality makes me sick.  There's plenty of money being made, but that's just not good enough.  Gotta get every possible penny...mo money  moe money!!@

Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM2.  Do you think that NFL teams will sprout up outside of the United States within the next few decades, and if so, where?

I dunno.  Canada and Mexico are obvious candidates.  The league would be foolish to try to establish its first international team across one of the oceans.

Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM3.  Do you think that, the sport would be more appealing to Americans if its membership included teams which were not within US boundaries?

NFL fans arent' exactly broad minded, accepting people.  So no.
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Beermonkey on April 02, 2007, 11:40:47 AM
Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM
The NFL, as you all know, is clearly making a strong push to strengthen its appeal internationally.  I believe it was last year that a regular season game was played in Mexico City, and a regular season game between the Giants and the Dolphins is scheduled to be played in London this year.  Though a preseason game in China was cancelled for this year it appears that the NFL is hoping to organize a game for the 09 season.  It's certainly in the best interests of any American sports league to attempt to expand viewership in international markets.  The NBA is making a push and the MLB has made major strides in internationalizing its product.  I'm wondering about your opinions in regards to three specific issues regarding the NFL's attempts in this matter.

1.  Do you think the attempts by the NFL to hold pre and regular season games abroad will lead to international appeal in places like Mexico, Canada, Europe, and China, will lead to any discernible increase in revenue for the league? 

I think international interest in the league will be minimal outside Mexico/Canada. IMO, a lot of the success of the NFL is due the fan culture, which is passed down through generations & based on regional loyalties. At best, I can see the NFL being viewed by non-North American countries, the same way most Americans view international soccer.

Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM
2.  Do you think that NFL teams will sprout up outside of the United States within the next few decades, and if so, where?

We've seen preseason games be successful in Mexico City with over 100k attending, plus from what I can tell, there seems to be an existing affinity for the Texas teams, so I can see the first one popping up in Mexico.

Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AM
3.  Do you think that, the sport would be more appealing to Americans if its membership included teams which were not within US boundaries? 

Not at all, I think the result would be the opposite and would reduce the appeal for the core audience. As Dio mentioned, the main NFL fan demographic is known more for it's interest in jumping onto card tables while drunk & not for it's open-mindeness towards other cultures. There are already too many NFL teams that I care nothing about & by adding international teams, it would only dilute the league further.

Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 12:05:57 AMI encourage you to answer any or all of these questions.  I want to leave my opinions out of the original question, because I'm simply curious what people think about this issue.  Talk amongst ya'selves.

Are you a reporter or league marketing professional?
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Diomedes on April 02, 2007, 11:51:51 AM
Quote from: Beermonkey on April 02, 2007, 11:40:47 AMAre you a reporter or league marketing professional?

There's a difference?
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Beermonkey on April 02, 2007, 12:43:39 PM
Quote from: Diomedes on April 02, 2007, 11:51:51 AM
There's a difference?

His questions seem too rational. Most of us would ask this question in the form of "If the NFL expanded it's franchise into another country, which country's girls would you like to bang first?". My answer would be The Netherlands.
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Diomedes on April 02, 2007, 12:45:11 PM
Okay, NOW we're talking.

I vote Sweden!!
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Father Demon on April 02, 2007, 01:19:34 PM
I was gonna say Philippines, Korea, Japan, or Thailand.  But then I remembered, Been There, Done That.  Thanks, federal government!!
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 02:36:08 PM
"Are you a reporter or league marketing professional?"

I am in no way affiliated with the league.  I'm just interested in what people think on the subject.  I would certainly like to see a franchise in mexico city.  That has to be the most likely place for a foreign franchise to start up, especially with the number of people who showed up for that regular season game. 

"If the NFL expanded it's franchise into another country, which country's girls would you like to bang first?".

I would have to say Spain.
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: mussa on April 02, 2007, 02:54:17 PM
I'd say Canada would be first spot since other pro sports currently have teams in Canada.
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Geowhizzer on April 02, 2007, 03:05:53 PM
Quote from: Father Demon on April 02, 2007, 01:19:34 PM
I was gonna say Philippines, Korea, Japan, or Thailand.  But then I remembered, Been There, Done That.  Thanks, federal government!!

Agreed with the first part.  There's just something about East Asian women...
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: Beermonkey on April 02, 2007, 03:12:40 PM
Quote from: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 02:36:08 PM
I am in no way affiliated with the league. 

So you're a reporter then? I guess when Mark Eckel's next column entitled "NFL's International Expansion: Poon vs Revenue" appears, we'll know who you are for sure.  ;)
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: phattymatty on April 02, 2007, 04:23:41 PM
poon wins
Title: Re: NFL going international?
Post by: lackadaize on April 02, 2007, 05:20:08 PM
Quote from: phattymatty on April 02, 2007, 04:23:41 PM
poon wins

I'll drink to that. 

I am not a reporter either.  I am but a simple man.