What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

Just wanted to get peoples perspective and opinions on what they think about the NFL games being played in london.

I grew up and have lived in the UK all my life, I can honestly tell you all the NFL fans here love the opportunity to see their favourite teams (apart from the idiot fans of soccer teams that question why me, an english person, likes American Football)

Every person that loves the game like I do go crazy to get tickets for wembley, it's garnering more interest from people every week, which sometimes can be a bad thing when you have people you work with that think they know everything about every sport.

The only thing I think the NFL is going too far with is when they talk about adding an english franchise, that is a step in the wrong direction if you ask me. Why not just bring in a chinese team while their at it.

I know for a fact that when the saints came over in 2008, Sean Payton did not like the experience because he felt the team suffered due to their schedule being mixed up. I can understand that from a head coaches point of view, I'd rather not see the saints come over to england again if it was to end up with multiple losses like in 2008.

Does everyone like the idea of international games?

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

I think it's too hard on the players and teams. But if there's interest over there then a game or two is ok I guess. As far as putting a franchise over there, absolutely not. I just don't see how that could work.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

I think it's good PR and wouldn't mind seeing international games in several different venues every year. It's no different than playing the ProBowl in Hawaii, IMO. I don't like the concept of a European League and/or franchises there until it can be self-sustaining, though. A few games a year to give those fans a taste and to give NFL teams the chance to play overseas is not a bad idea at all, :mrgreen:.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

I do not like the idea.
Sure it is "good PR" but basically the NFL are using their smarts to get more money.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

It's an interesting idea, if kept in small doses.

But of course the NFL is never going to keep things in small, measured doses. They will screw it up. Best to nip it in the bud.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

ASSANINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

I don't like it at all. I think its unfair to ask teams to travel half way across the world for the sake of money which in my opinion that's what its all about. The nfl could expand to US cities that don't have teams or Mexico city or Canada before going across the big pond. As for allowing the super bowl to be played in England. Its a total disrespect to the fans than have supported this league forever. I don't see any reason to be over there at all.

How would the people over there feel about bringing their beloved game of soccer or football over here on a regular basis?

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Franchise is ridiculous; Super Bowl even worse.

My grand plan has always been go to a 17 game schedule and make the 'odd' game at a neutral site that will sell well: Toronto, 3-4 in London, San Antonio, Okla City, LA, Hawaii, Mexico City (except altitude issues).

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

Is the correct answer and im live 20 miles from the stadium thst hists the game

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

I think its good for spreading the sport. There are droves of fans traveling from all over Europe to London for the games. I don't think there should be more than 1-2 regular season games a year thou and they don't have to bee in London all the time either. Why not Berlin, Stockholm, Paris or Copenhagen?

I could see some preseason games over here.

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I thinks it's great for football. But not for the players.

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Dude, soccer is already all over North America (MLS, NASL, USL PRO, PDL, NPSL are just some of the leagues) and the networks ... just sayin', :mrgreen:.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

That's a sick joke right? :) Your soccer is absolutely horrible haha

It's interesting isn't it. The usual UK fans on here that I am aware of, me, dizzle, lee, UKWHODAT are ALL in agreement that we do NOT want a franchise in England. This is echoed by every single one of my friends who is a fan of the game and who has been for any length of time.

Let's be honest. We do try to get the tickets when the games are played at Wembley. It is a spectacle to see the players you watch on telly or have in your fantasy team playing in front of you, but it is not something I would want on a regular basis.

I do think it is a good thing to grow the popularity of the sport and you have to appreciate the devil you have. The NFL is an entertainment juggernaut. Whilst the main 'sell' is sport, this is not a sport in the sense of truly how a sport is run. You would never see our Soccer run like the NFL because it makes its money in a different way. The FA (Football Association) couldn't suddenly start telling the different teams what to do. Also our teams are teams. They are bound to the city. They are not franchises.

So putting the odd game, or two or even three over in London is not a bad thing. If a team is happy to sacrifice a home game then it is a fair deal. This is where it should end though.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

Hey! We qualified for the World Cup and I think our chances are pretty good, :lol: ... I agree though, an NFL franchise in Europe probably wouldn't work and NFL Europe was already tried. I think they have a good formula now playing 3-4-5 games a season over there. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it, but of course, Goodell can never leave well enough alone, :rolleyes:.

Your point about the teams being bound to the cities, that's what I like about futbol and the European leagues (hockey) in general, there's a certain amount of local flavor ... it used to be that way, somewhat, in US professional sports, but now only in the minor leagues.

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I think its garbage and pure stupid for the fact if you are the home team, you getting absolutely no advantage since its essentially a neutral field.

Its worse when the supposed visiting team (49ers) is facing the supposed home team (Jaguars) in London. Jaguars got nothing out of that deal except the NFL idiots wanting to market a team in London. I think games in London is more of an attempt to alter seedings come playoff time, what happens if the Saints/49ers game later this year was in London when the Saints was the home team? No dome, hosting team, and you on a neutral field.

Retarded I say.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

Agree with QBREES, good for the game, not the teams.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

I'm talking about the Manchester United, Real Madrid, Arsenal, AC Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona teams like that.

I'm not talking about the American form of soccer its entirely different over there than what we call it.

Id be ok if they wanted to put pre season games over there. Hell put all pre season games for every team over there. We don't want to see them let alone pay full price to attend them. I might be able to support that but to put in season games over there is a detriment to competitive fairness of all teams trying to make the playoffs

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I think teams should have to volunteer to play games overseas.

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I thought teams did agree to play overseas

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I agree with lee and DISP, what other sport does this? I do not mean for tournament or championship purposes either...

If the NFL wants to have internationally hosted exhibition games then do just that... Have pre-season games remotely from CONUS.

Presently it is not the same as the Pro-Bowl... No one gives 2 ****z about the Pro-Bowl's outcome in Hawaii, and they are not playing in anything afterwards.

If you have never traveled or worked in rotation outside of the US, jet-lag is a biatch!


Everyone is onboard until it is their team that has to go and play in that game.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?
 

Premier League is on ESPN/ESPN2 all the time ... seriously.

One of the three pillars of success in business is "expand into new markets" ... it's why the Big Three is in China and the NFL is going to Europe.

From what I understand, the regular season contests over there are voluntary, the franchises sign up for them and they're not forced to play there, so it's Ok with me. It all probably translates into x-amount of dollars in uniform/souvenir sales for those teams anyway ... don't matter what we think, :mrgreen:.

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We had NFL in Europe. Luck's father was the Goddell of the bloody league.
I don't feel this would be in the best interest of the players.
It is all about their safety and tossing their body out of sync will lead to injury.
Coast to coast games mess up the body rhythm...

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There you have it. That'll put an end to this nonsense.

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I kind of looked it up one time and examined the teams each year and kinda crunched it out...this was a few years ago now, and it may have changed since then, there may be one or two teams that are exceptions, but basically -- there is a weird correlation, where no team that has played a game in England, has gone on to do anything significant in the post season that year. The year the Saints played there, we were 8-8. The year the Patriots played there, was one of their o:ff years as well -- they made the playoffs but it was an early exit for them....there are others.

I mean maybe something has changed, but for the longest time you don't see Super Bowl winners playing a game in London, the year they get their ring. You don't really see too many teams playing in London going to the NFC or AFC championship game that same year.

I think the game in London does something to the team, that can create a ripple effect or hangover -- it upsets their schedule or their rhythm, not just for the one game, but possibly a bigger chunk of the season. I dunno. If you are a team like Tampa or Jacksonville or the Rams that has a weak home crowd, I could maybe see it making financial sense.

Re: What does everyone think of NFL international games?