International Series and London Franchise

[captain insano]

I hate the idea of the nfl having games anywhere else other than the usa.
its just a idea so the owners can stuff there fat faces with cash. like they don't already have enough. if it aint broke don't fix. leave the game alone already.

 

[SB39]

Tebow is being saved for the Roma Spartans

PS.........16 NFL teams play in the eastern time zone...and last I heard, not one player retired due to the fact that twice a year their team had to travel 3 time zones to the left coast to play football. The distance argument is horse crap. Even for the London players. Three trips to the US each season (road trips of 3,3, and 2 games)....most games on the east coast...pleeeeease.
SD and Seattle each play in the eastern time zone 4 times this year. Guess those retirement papers got lost

If you think a team can play 3 in a row on the road, staying on the road in hotels and unfamiliar surroundings the entire time, without it impacting them negatively, and do it multiple times per season, then you just don't know football.

There's a reason why teams always have bye weeks after their London games. A London franchise would be an absolute disaster from a competitive standpoint, pure and simple.

 

[hovis]

This idea needs to wait 20 years until Elon Musk (SpaceX), Richard Branson (Virgin Galactic) or Skylon gets their 60 minutes to anywhere charter flight services going.

Came here to mention this. Apparently nobody in this thread has vision. A London franchise is probably like you say, twenty years down the road, but it's coming. People compare it to the NHLs futile attempt to expand into the sunbelt, but the NFL going global is different. People don't understand hockey if they don't see natural ice in their region. It's not as accessible. Football can be played anywhere, and with limited equipment.

As for the "they only like soccer" argument, that's bologna too. As a rugby derivative, American football can and will sell well in markets with a background in that sport. NFL Europe and World League failed because they had minor league talent. Premier talent will generate interest. Seventy years ago nobody would've said baseball would be dethroned as the #1 sport in America, now it struggles to attract young viewers. Why? Football is inherently more exciting, because of the game speed and violence. Move the Jags to London and put them in the AFCE, and shift the Dolphins into the AFCS, people will watch.

Not only can London support a team, the NFL could sustain adding another eight global teams in the next fifty years. They could start by adding a "global" division to each conference and expanding the season to seventeen games. Each team would play eight division games, four cross-conference games, and five prior year division rank games. Eleven teams in each conference would make the playoffs: six wildcards and five division winners. Seeds 5-12 would play round one, winners of those games would face off against the top four division winners in round two, and so on and so forth.

Aviation technology will facilitate all of this.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

I'm sure it's cool for people in London, etc, but it's stressful on the players and coaches. Not to mention that a teams has to give up a home game for this to happen. I'd rather they kept the games in the States.

 

[AzorianPats]

For east coast teams.....a 5 hour flight to the left...a 5 hour flight to the right.....big freaking deal. And those poor suffering west coast teams whose players are cashing their million dollar checks each week....they would have to fly to London once every six to eight years. (Brady has never played in SF ....missed 2008) What an inconvenience!! Give the players a choice....first class flights to London or fryalotor duty at Micky Ds. Here's a thought...the NFL schedule makers could factor in the bye weeks around these transatlantic trips.
No doubt playing on the London team would be less than ideal, but here's the thing....there's free choice. Play on the team that drafted you or move on with your life. There would be $140 million to be divvied up every year in London for those that could handle living in one of the greatest cities in the world. Sounds too horrible.
NBC just paid the English Premier League something like $400 million to televise British soccer into a country that already has 4 major sports. You can see why the NFL wants to tap into Great Brittain/Europe and their 400 million population that spends their sports dollars on one professional sport.
In my mind, the real question is not "should the NFL expand into London"....but instead...what kind of roster must the NFL engineer that would maximize attention in England? Any player come to mind that is worthy of international attention, page 2 and back page headlines, transcends the sport. Any couple come to mind that could match the sizzle that the Beckhams brought to the states and MLS?
That London Fog trench coat with the flair collar a certain marquis player sports at post game pressers would look quite refined on any pitch in London...don't you think?

I think these owners seen how soccer grew here in the States throughout the years, and they are trying to replicate that by bringing multiple games to Europe a year. I think the plan is to to strike big with an exclusive TV contract over in the UK/Europe, much like the EPL did here with NBC, and a couple of years ago with ESPN.

Now do I think a London team can work in say 20 years? Maybe, but I think the plan within the next 5-10 years is getting in on the TV $$$ overseas.

 

[Boogs]

If you think a team can play 3 in a row on the road, staying on the road in hotels and unfamiliar surroundings the entire time, without it impacting them negatively, and do it multiple times per season, then you just don't know football.

There's a reason why teams always have bye weeks after their London games. A London franchise would be an absolute disaster from a competitive standpoint, pure and simple.

Exactly. If the league cares about injuries, they won't do this. It's a terrible idea if you want players to have recovery/rest. That's just too much on top of the demands already placed on players bodies. If it goes, look for sloppier play, and more injuries during and a short time after the european trip.
As it's been said, too many logistical nightmares. And the players, coaches and staff will hate it.

 

[Sfpat]

Plus the London team would have to play west coast games. Flight from London to SD is a bit more than 5 hours

 

[Froob]

If they're going to put a franchise in any other country it should be canada. Raptors suck and still get sell out crowds and passionate fans. If you give Toronto or Vancouver a team canadians will get nuts for them. Putting a team in london is ******* stupid. If a team wants to give up a home game that could cost them a playoff spot or homefield then by all means go for it(I'd be pissed if Kraft ever did that but I don't see him ever doing it).

 

[CelticPatriot]

Jags, Raiders and Falcons will be the home teams next year, which means no Pats in London (there was talk it could be the Vikings instead of Raiders, which would probably mean Pats coming over)

 

[Huckleberry1]

Hate it. If they add a team in london it is going to be an AFCE team and that means the Patriots have to travel to London to play them every season, and i don't want that. The NFL wants to get bigger, go to 18 games and expand the play-offs, and I hate all 3 ideas and think they are simply about the money, dilute the quality of play, and will shorten careers significantly. 20+ real games is too much.


However If they want to put them in the AFCW then i am all for it

 

[jmt57]

The way this announcement reads, the NFL is adamant about laying the groundwork for placing a franchise in London.

NFL to further international growth; 3 games in London in 2014 - NFL.com

In response to growing fan support of football in the United Kingdom, the NFL will take another important step in its international development in 2014 when, for the first time, three regular-season games will be played in the UK, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced today at the league's fall meeting in Washington, DC.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Oakland Raiders each will play one home game in London next year at Wembley Stadium. The dates of the games and opponents for each club will be announced later this season.

"Our fans in the UK have continued to demonstrate that they love football and want more," Goodell said. "Both of this year's games in London sold out quickly. The fan enthusiasm for our sport continues to grow. By playing two games in the UK this year, we are creating more fans. We hope that with three games in London next year we will attract even more people to our game."

The International Series of regular-season games has increased NFL fan interest in the UK, with a current fan base of more than 12 million, including 2.5 million avid fans, a 30 percent increase in avid fans in the past two years.​

 

[Joker]

hahahahahahahahahaha.....oh whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaahaahaaahhaaa...roaring with laughter, ribs hurting...

Oakland, Jax and the Falsecons????? way to set back international relations 500 years...if I was an Irish or English NFL fan I'd take a big steaming dump in a zip lock bag, wrap it in an overnight box and ship it right to the desk of Omissioner Clouseau....way to "open the doors!!!"...send Jax as a "home" team.

are there ANY employees at the NFL offices that sport mORE than three firing brain cells or what?

 

[pherein]

Want a full time, let the Brits travel to every game
Call them the Red Coats, imagine the ticket sales for

..Patriots VS Red Coats

 

[Froob]

Want a full time, let the Brits travel to every game
Call them the Red Coats, imagine the ticket sales for

..Patriots VS Red Coats

Will the red coats ironically wear blue in their original uniforms?

 

[SB39]

hahahahahahahahahaha.....oh whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaahaahaaahhaaa...roaring with laughter, ribs hurting...

Oakland, Jax and the Falsecons????? way to set back international relations 500 years...if I was an Irish or English NFL fan I'd take a big steaming dump in a zip lock bag, wrap it in an overnight box and ship it right to the desk of Omissioner Clouseau....way to "open the doors!!!"...send Jax as a "home" team.

are there ANY employees at the NFL offices that sport mORE than three firing brain cells or what?

Maybe the people at NFL offices know that with a few rare exceptions, the folks in London don't really care what team they get and those 3 teams all have a hard time packing in the stadium for home games. Even with their recent success last year, still a lot of fans dressed as empty seats in Atlanta.

 

[Joker]

Maybe the people at NFL offices know that with a few rare exceptions, the folks in London don't really care what team they get and those 3 teams all have a hard time packing in the stadium for home games. Even with their recent success last year, still a lot of fans dressed as empty seats in Atlanta.

well...THAT flies in the face of Lord High Mongomissioner's declaration that they DO care...

"Our fans in the UK have continued to demonstrate that they love football and want more," Goodell said. "Both of this year's games in London sold out quickly. The fan enthusiasm for our sport continues to grow. By playing two games in the UK this year, we are creating more fans. We hope that with three games in London next year we will attract even more people to our game."

NFL to further international growth; 3 games in London in 2014 - NFL.com

If the Euros do indeed sport a growing passion for the NFL, they THEY KNOW teams like these are in the sewer horrible,lesser tier and lacking in star power. If ,as you say, the NFL people KNOW what they're doing, then wouldn't it make perfect sense to send Denver with Manning, Dallas because, well, it's Dallas for chrissakes and either a NY team or a West Coast juggernaut like SF or Seattle?...What I see here is yet another example of the Goodelian "leadership" sailing the league away in row boats...it is patently ridiculous and HE and the rest of those suits know it.

 

[Tunescribe]

well...THAT flies in the face of Lord High Mongomissioner's declaration that they DO care...

"Our fans in the UK have continued to demonstrate that they love football and want more," Goodell said. "Both of this year's games in London sold out quickly. The fan enthusiasm for our sport continues to grow. By playing two games in the UK this year, we are creating more fans. We hope that with three games in London next year we will attract even more people to our game."

NFL to further international growth; 3 games in London in 2014 - NFL.com

If the Euros do indeed sport a growing passion for the NFL, they THEY KNOW teams like these are in the sewer horrible,lesser tier and lacking in star power. If ,as you say, the NFL people KNOW what they're doing, then wouldn't it make perfect sense to send Denver with Manning, Dallas because, well, it's Dallas for chrissakes and either a NY team or a West Coast juggernaut like SF or Seattle?...What I see here is yet another example of the Goodelian "leadership" sailing the league away in row boats...it is patently ridiculous and HE and the rest of those suits know it.

I am consistently amazed how Roger routinely refers to "the fans want this," "the fans want that," and it seldom has ANYTHING to do with what I want as a fan who has followed this league for 50 years. He presents one-sided opinions as facts supporting his agenda. Every time he opens his mouth I feel personally misrepresented.

 

[Joker]

I am consistently amazed how Roger routinely refers to "the fans want this," "the fans want that," and it seldom has ANYTHING to do with what I want as a fan who has followed this league for 50 years. He presents one-sided opinions as facts supporting his agenda. Every time he opens his mouth I feel personally misrepresented.

every time he opens his mouth I feel like filling it with plaster of paris and supergluing a dunce cap on his pinhead...heh..let's play Wheel....Of....DUNCES!!!!!

 

[CelticPatriot]

The Falcons v Lions game this year will kick off at 1:30pm UK time (10:30) ET.

So that will give you a Sunday of a 10:30, 13:00, 16:25 and 20:30 game. Over 12 hours of football!