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2011-10-12 16:30:58
10 votes, rating 4.4
10 votes, rating 4.4
NFL in London
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/11/more-nfl-games-heading-to-the-u-k/
Just wondering what folks across the pond think about the possibility of an NFL franchise in London. The article saies that ticket sales are slow. Is it a general lack of intrest in americian football, or do you blokes not care for the league trying to push the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off on you? :P
Just wondering what folks across the pond think about the possibility of an NFL franchise in London. The article saies that ticket sales are slow. Is it a general lack of intrest in americian football, or do you blokes not care for the league trying to push the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off on you? :P
Comments
Posted by blocknroll on 2011-10-12 16:36:28
well the Glazers arent popular with Man U fans, but i think the reason for slow ticket sales this year is the delay in announcing and putting tickets on sale due to the lock-out issues over the close season. Previous years have seen applications prior to sale way over capacity of Wembley. Factor in that some of those people are likely from Europe and shorter notice makes travel plans harder. Oh and everyone's broke.
One interesting side note is that they are advertising i think 2-4-1 tickets on a big radio network here. A network that is aimed at 25-40 year old women....
One interesting side note is that they are advertising i think 2-4-1 tickets on a big radio network here. A network that is aimed at 25-40 year old women....
Posted by PainState on 2011-10-12 16:37:43
You dont have to worry about a NFL team moving to London or Mexico city or toronto or timbucktu. It aint going to happen.
Posted by gjopie on 2011-10-12 16:47:52
I've got tickets to the game and I'm really excited about my first chance to see an NFL game live. As for why ticket sales are slow: probably due to everything blocknroll said. Buccs vs Bears isn't a game that gets me really excited, but it isn't fair to expect the best games over here.
As for a London NFL franchise; I'd love it, but I agree that it is unlikely to happen for a while. American Football is starting to gain popularity again over here (apparently it was big in the 80s, hence the birth of blood bowl), but it is still a long way from a main-stream sport.
As for a London NFL franchise; I'd love it, but I agree that it is unlikely to happen for a while. American Football is starting to gain popularity again over here (apparently it was big in the 80s, hence the birth of blood bowl), but it is still a long way from a main-stream sport.
Posted by gjopie on 2011-10-12 16:52:08
As a further thought, another factor in ticket sales is undoubtedly the cost. I don't know what ticket prices are like in the US, but the London game costs at least £60 (there are £30 tickets, but they sell out straight away) - plus food, drinks, etc. at Wembley it'll add up to at least £100 for a day out.
Thats more than it quite often costs to watch the England national football team play a friendly at Wembley.
Thats more than it quite often costs to watch the England national football team play a friendly at Wembley.
Posted by Beerox on 2011-10-12 16:55:53
I hear they love commercials across the pond! Too bad you can't fast forward the DVR when you're at the game...
Bears Bucs ain't bad though, they usually end up with a battle of cellar dwellers.
Bears Bucs ain't bad though, they usually end up with a battle of cellar dwellers.
Posted by pythrr on 2011-10-12 17:03:31
no chance in hell
sorry (or maybe this is good news?)
sorry (or maybe this is good news?)
Posted by koadah on 2011-10-12 17:17:57
They investigate a UK franchise in the same way that they're investigating eternal life. Don't expect it any time soon.
Also they are not really thinking about a UK franchise anyway. Just sending the same 'home' team every year. That's just going to P people off even more as it will take even longer for 'our' team to get sent over.
The reason it doesn't sell out is because everyone knows that they will be back next year. And next year it could be 'my' team.
I already spent my money on a Game Pass. I thought that would mean that I would watch loads more football having access to every game. In reality once I've seen my team nothing else seems to matter. ;)
A lot of the fans will be old geezers who are no longer satisfied with sitting in the lower tier. ;)
My kids were spoiled by getting Club level halfway line seats for the rugby. They'll just moan all match if they have to slum it now. ;)
But if we can get 2-4-1 and youth discounts I could change my mind.
Is there going to be an official Fumbbl pre match drink? ;)
Also they are not really thinking about a UK franchise anyway. Just sending the same 'home' team every year. That's just going to P people off even more as it will take even longer for 'our' team to get sent over.
The reason it doesn't sell out is because everyone knows that they will be back next year. And next year it could be 'my' team.
I already spent my money on a Game Pass. I thought that would mean that I would watch loads more football having access to every game. In reality once I've seen my team nothing else seems to matter. ;)
A lot of the fans will be old geezers who are no longer satisfied with sitting in the lower tier. ;)
My kids were spoiled by getting Club level halfway line seats for the rugby. They'll just moan all match if they have to slum it now. ;)
But if we can get 2-4-1 and youth discounts I could change my mind.
Is there going to be an official Fumbbl pre match drink? ;)
Posted by licker on 2011-10-12 17:23:10
Bears Bucs isn't a sexy matchup now...
Before the season started though, both teams were thought to be good teams.
Hell the Bears were in the NFC championship game last season, and the Bucs had a winning season with a young team...
Granted, they have both fallen on their faces so far this season, but it's not like the NFL tried to ship them Denver vs. Arizona or something everyone knew was going to be a disaster before the season.
Before the season started though, both teams were thought to be good teams.
Hell the Bears were in the NFC championship game last season, and the Bucs had a winning season with a young team...
Granted, they have both fallen on their faces so far this season, but it's not like the NFL tried to ship them Denver vs. Arizona or something everyone knew was going to be a disaster before the season.
Posted by koadah on 2011-10-12 17:23:39
If the said it was the last London game for 10 years it would sell out immediately.
I don't know why they don't alternate between London and Frankfurt. Those Galaxy fans knew how to have a good time ;)
I don't know why they don't alternate between London and Frankfurt. Those Galaxy fans knew how to have a good time ;)
Posted by DukeTyrion on 2011-10-12 18:06:34
I intend to go to the next Eagles or 49ers game, but that one ... I think I'll pass.
Posted by Purplegoo on 2011-10-12 19:43:44
I went to the first 3 NFL UK games. The atmosphere was terrible. People were there for an event, the game and who we wanted to win were a long way second and third. It really didn't help.
I don't think a London franchise would sell out Wembly season upon season since the novelty factor won't be there and prices would be high-ish. I think any decline in sales this year is because the novelty has worn off, I would say that effect would be the same with a real franchise.
I don't think a London franchise would sell out Wembly season upon season since the novelty factor won't be there and prices would be high-ish. I think any decline in sales this year is because the novelty has worn off, I would say that effect would be the same with a real franchise.
Posted by Purplegoo on 2011-10-12 19:50:52
Also, it's a shame some Americans don't seem to want to grow the sport by getting a franchise / some franchises overseas.
It's (I suppose) a symptom of the inner looking US market - but the World is a big place, and expanding the sport can only be a good thing for everyone, money men, fans, culture combined.
It's (I suppose) a symptom of the inner looking US market - but the World is a big place, and expanding the sport can only be a good thing for everyone, money men, fans, culture combined.
Posted by koadah on 2011-10-12 20:26:36
We had all this with the World League.
It's a total pain in the ass dragging a team plus all their equipment and support staff backwards and forwards across the Atlantic.
Seriously. The NFL does not even have a team in Los Angeles let alone London.
It's a total pain in the ass dragging a team plus all their equipment and support staff backwards and forwards across the Atlantic.
Seriously. The NFL does not even have a team in Los Angeles let alone London.
Posted by Purplegoo on 2011-10-12 20:37:47
Currently, no.
But one day, it's hardly _that difficult_ in reality. It's 2011, afterall. ;) You'd just have to schedule the London games in 4 game bursts, 4 home, 4 road, keeping disruption to a minimum where possible. Plenty of other sports have fixtures that take teams across similar sorts of distances often in a year, afterall.
Not that I think the numbers would support such an idea in the short to mid term anyway. But if the cash is right (the one number that matters) it'll happen.
But one day, it's hardly _that difficult_ in reality. It's 2011, afterall. ;) You'd just have to schedule the London games in 4 game bursts, 4 home, 4 road, keeping disruption to a minimum where possible. Plenty of other sports have fixtures that take teams across similar sorts of distances often in a year, afterall.
Not that I think the numbers would support such an idea in the short to mid term anyway. But if the cash is right (the one number that matters) it'll happen.
Posted by koadah on 2011-10-12 20:51:35
That's what they did in '92. It's still a pain in the ass.
And 8 teams would have to come over here per season. Not so bad with a bye week but you can't do that every week. And who is going to want to come over for a play off game?
A lot of those people in the stadium will have come a long way. They're not going to do that 8+ times a season. Especially with the woeful public transport on a Sunday night.
They'd have to find the cash 4 weeks in a row. Then 4 weeks for the media to forget about them...
Premiership is king. Even our 'London' rugby teams have skipped town.
Your hardcore fans already support a team. It would take a while to get people worked up about a crap expansion team.
They'd have to start winning very quickly.
Mind you, it would be nice to get some use out of the Olympic Stadium. ;)
And 8 teams would have to come over here per season. Not so bad with a bye week but you can't do that every week. And who is going to want to come over for a play off game?
A lot of those people in the stadium will have come a long way. They're not going to do that 8+ times a season. Especially with the woeful public transport on a Sunday night.
They'd have to find the cash 4 weeks in a row. Then 4 weeks for the media to forget about them...
Premiership is king. Even our 'London' rugby teams have skipped town.
Your hardcore fans already support a team. It would take a while to get people worked up about a crap expansion team.
They'd have to start winning very quickly.
Mind you, it would be nice to get some use out of the Olympic Stadium. ;)
Posted by Purplegoo on 2011-10-12 20:57:53
Oh - I agree with a good deal of that. People (I don't think) won't support / pay to travel and see / instantly take to a London expansion of the course of a season or a number of seasons, and that's the crux of it. I did it once a year for three years, and that's almost enough for me (unless the Steelers come to town). It was expensive, hassle, and once the novelty had worn off, not worth the trip, much as I enjoy the game.
You can bet that when that changes, when the spreadsheet that crunches the cash money numbers in NFL HQ changes from red to green, the other stuff about it being a pain will become a long way secondary. Who knows when that will be in reality. Perhaps never. But the logistics are a long way away from being the most important factor.
You can bet that when that changes, when the spreadsheet that crunches the cash money numbers in NFL HQ changes from red to green, the other stuff about it being a pain will become a long way secondary. Who knows when that will be in reality. Perhaps never. But the logistics are a long way away from being the most important factor.
Posted by pythrr on 2011-10-12 23:18:49
I would put money on Toronto getting a franchise before London if the NHL ever goes ex-US. Bigger market for the sport there.
Posted by KhorneliusPraxx on 2011-10-13 06:09:20
NFL
NATIONAL Football League
NATIONAL!!!
'nuff said
NATIONAL Football League
NATIONAL!!!
'nuff said
Posted by koadah on 2011-10-13 08:11:03
Dead right. kinda like the NHL or NBA.
Posted by pythrr on 2011-10-13 10:11:30
Well, yes, although the N in NHL does stand for 'Canadian', no? ;)
Posted by harvestmouse on 2011-10-13 12:00:55
I think it's a great idea, having the NFL coming to the uk! We love American sports here, and basketball is the top 1!