UK_WhoDat

You know KittyKat. You are right and you are wrong. NFL don't need to convert Eurofans. A lot of them are already very keen. e.g. I flew to US to watch Saints 3 times. (I also been to games in Minnesota and Miami).

Many UKers took up watching American football waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy back when they started showing games in mid 80s. Yep, we had annual Super Bowl parties, there was games on UK TV on every Sunday, and a small number of us ordered college games on tape out of Germany that was intended for your American forces there.

There was a thriving UK American football league (Britball ) and I helped regularly with my local team.

But the NFL came over to "help" us along. Frankly I thought the NFL was justing looking for money. Once they screwed our merchandise money, they then screwed the UK by pulling out preseason games (which are ---- well a yawn) and pulling out that NFLE thing. I guess the NFL are coming back to screw the next generation. The real American fans don't need that.
Some sort of vendetta I guess. Kittykat - you are riht about planning, and
I am very bitter about the Saints "home" game in the UK. The NFL is screwing New Orleans.recovery. They ought to give the Saints a week off before and after that travel. But they won't and only the most disciplined will survive the clock change both ways.


I find it strangely very humiliating but I cannot explain why. Maybe, simply, it just sucks. I am still reeling from the Giants home game.

Our Saints, Our City, Our Soul
Saints are individuals of exceptional holiness

Kittykat

UK_WhoDat, I totally appreciate your perspective and information. I never realized the the NFL had anything more than a fledgling following in Europe. Heck, I never knew there was really a following at all! I apologize at being so apoplectic at the thought of European football fans.

It just strikes me as so bizarre, the whole idea of taking a regular season game to a whole other CONTINENT! What next? Antarctica? The moon?? I think everyone else is right on when they say it should be a pre-season game or the Pro Bowl. But not a regular season game.

And I had totally forgotten about the NFLE. I do well enough to muddle my way though the NFL.

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Budsdrinker

I think one of the reasons the NFL is wanting to play over seas is because when a team wins a Super Bowl they declare themselves World Champions. I have a few friends from other countries that this sort of bothers them considering the NFL is only played in America. They don't think they should be considered World Champions which I understand their point to some extent. Now while I don't think there will ever be teams from over seas in the NFL, the NFL wants to get other countries fans of the NFL for revenue sake. It's all about the almighty dollar.

LordOfEntropy

Yes, I understand that, and I agree. It's about the almight dollar. But... they could make the same amount of cash by sending the Saints to an away game, as opposed to a home game. That's the part I can't stomach.

Between all the road games in Chicago, and all the home games played everywhere but New Orleans, I'm beginning to feel personally screwed here. And I know I'm not alone in that feeling.

wheelman

I don't mind the Saints playing overseas, just the idea of losing another home game. I think it's pretty low what the NFL is doing here.

As for why the NFL is so adamant about playing games overseas, I honestly think their ultimate goal is to eventually form a second professional league in Europe. The problem with the original NFL Europe - financially and public relations speaking - was that it was a developmental league. It is hard to drum up interest in a league when the locals know that they are getting stuck with the leftovers.

ScottF

The question is, why us?

I understand that the Saints have become the new darlings in the US and we are in commercials now and Bush is a markettable guy. But, how do you take a home game away from a city that sells out every week? Miami I understand, Phoenix, ATL, etc., but not New Orleans.

I agree with whomever posted that they should play pre-season games there. The quality would be better than that fiasco last year anyway.

Last point- why is the NFL trying to market in Europe? What do the European football teams draw? Is the US market really tapped out?
My thought is that the NFL wants to see Bush #25 jerseys at Chelsea/Man U matches.

iceshack149

Good point about "World Champions", Budsdrinker. The NFL will assuredly keep that title in hopes that other countries will try to form their own teams and beat the US at its own game like it's been done in Baseball and Basketball.

Tobias-Reiper

That's the answer right there. Merchandise revenue.

My guess is that the NFL picked the Saints-Chargers game because it matches 2 exciting RBs. in Reggie and LT and Soccer fans like exciting runners.

FireVenturi

hope they like one that runs east and west! Sorry couldn't resist

hagan714

I like this one. Yes the NFL wants $$$$$. Is there a market there? Yes. Could the long term goal of both the NBA and the NFL to one day make themselves truely gobal? Yes
The part I do not like is the hit the local economy is going to take. Restraunt, Bars and Hotels.