NFL could put franchise outside United States

Father Demon · November 29, 2006, 11:15:07 AM

Quote
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The NFL's choice of where it will play a regular season game outside the United States has been narrowed down to five cities, one of which could be home to an NFL franchise in the next 10 years, the football league's commissioner said on Wednesday.

Roger Goodell said at the Reuters Media Summit in New York that Mexico City, Toronto, London, Frankfurt and Cologne, Germany, are the finalist cities for a regular-season game next year, with a decision expected before the Super Bowl.

He also said that within the next decade, one of those cities -- most likely Mexico City or Toronto -- could be host to a National Football League franchise.

"We can envision that," Goodell said of expansion outside the United States, in response to a question. "I don't know if it will become a reality but it's certainly a possibility.

"The closer to the border probably would be more likely from a geographic standpoint, but I don't think in today's world, it's something we can't overcome," Goodell said.

The league has been trying for years to find a broader audience outside the United States with an NFL-branded league in Europe struggling to find its footing, and more U.S. games being broadcast overseas.

This season it began streaming the full slate of NFL games on Yahoo for consumers in foreign markets.

Goodell, who took up the commissioner's job in August, said the service is drawing about 5,000 subscribers a week, and that the league has done very little marketing for the Internet broadcasts. Consumers pay about $25 per week or can buy the whole season for $250.

"We're responding to interests globally and trying to find ways to bring more football to platforms around the globe," he said.

source

Drunkmasterflex · November 29, 2006, 04:24:59 PM

Toronto would be a good fit if they ever decided to move forward with something like that.

Quasimoto · November 29, 2006, 04:26:40 PM

Any third world country would also be a good spot. Maybe Bosnia?

ice grillin you · November 29, 2006, 04:28:20 PM

id road trip to toronto

Quasimoto · November 29, 2006, 04:31:01 PM

A couple of years ago me and my friends took a road trip there for about 4 days. It was all blur considering I was shteinfaced and stone out of my mind the entire time.

But I do remember it being fun.

Father Demon · November 29, 2006, 04:42:33 PM

I can't see anywhere except Toronto working. Europe would be a major PITA for travelling for the team's 8 road trips, and Mexico City even seems to far away. But, I would love to roadie any of them....

Game times would be all kinds of effed up if it were in Europe -- either for the local fans, or for TV schedules here. I just can't see it working, and I'm quite the visionary.

Beermonkey · November 29, 2006, 04:44:53 PM

Quote from: Father Demon on November 29, 2006, 04:42:33 PM
I can't see anywhere except Toronto working. Europe would be a major PITA for travelling for the team's 8 road trips, and Mexico City even seems to far away. But, I would love to roadie any of them....

I was going to argue that I can't see it working anywhere else but Mexico City, but I realized that I don't know a damn thing about Canada to say otherwise.

Father Demon · November 29, 2006, 04:47:54 PM

Quote from: Beermonkey on November 29, 2006, 04:44:53 PM
Quote from: Father Demon on November 29, 2006, 04:42:33 PM
I can't see anywhere except Toronto working. Europe would be a major PITA for travelling for the team's 8 road trips, and Mexico City even seems to far away. But, I would love to roadie any of them....

I was going to argue that I can't see it working anywhere else but Mexico City, but I realized that I don't know a damn thing about Canada to say otherwise.

They have funny colored money. That was lesson one.

rjs246 · November 29, 2006, 06:56:58 PM

I hear Toronto's strip clubs are second only to Montreal's strip clubs. So Toronto gets my all important vote.

Drunkmasterflex · November 29, 2006, 07:49:27 PM

Quote from: rjs246 on November 29, 2006, 06:56:58 PM
I hear Toronto's strip clubs are second only to Montreal's strip clubs. So Toronto gets my all important vote.

I have heard the exact same thing, that of course was one of the reasons I thought Toronto would be a good fit.

BigEd76 · November 29, 2006, 08:56:37 PM

Quote from: Father Demon on November 29, 2006, 04:42:33 PMEurope would be a major PITA for travelling for the team's 8 road trips

That's why the World League went all-Europe

that, plus nobody gave a crap about those awesome London Monarch/Sacramento Surge battles...

Rome · November 29, 2006, 08:57:10 PM

Quote from: rjs246 on November 29, 2006, 06:56:58 PM
I hear Toronto's strip clubs are second only to Montreal's strip clubs. So Toronto gets my all important vote.

My buddy Joe went to Toronto for the NHL All-Star Game in 2000 (I think?) and reported that Toronto's strip joints are indeed unreal.

Feva · November 29, 2006, 09:23:15 PM

I can just see a GM now...

"STFU or I'm sending your ass to Mexico!"

Cerevant · November 29, 2006, 10:04:52 PM

I'm game for a team in Toronto (obviously) but I'm worried that if Canadians started caring about the NFL up here, the price of Sunday Ticket would go up

In reality, I don't see it happening - they are too into the NHL up here to have a legit NFL fan base.

For the geographically impaired: Toronto is about an hour and a half from Buffalo.

Sgt PSN · November 29, 2006, 10:13:02 PM

I will cast my vote for an NFL franchise in a foreign city the day after the Eagles win the Super Bowl. Otherwise it's already a given that said city will host SB parade before Philly does. And the last thing I was is some pasty white Canadian schmuck with a goofy accent saying "Toronto is what it's all aboot. How many rings you got, eh?"

No offense, Cerevant.