NFL May Ship Extra Regular Season Game to England

[mattieuk]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After seeing fans jam London's Wembley Stadium the past two years to watch an NFL game, the league is considering sending a second regular-season contest overseas in time for the 2010 season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday that the second game also could be played in London or another location in the United Kingdom. The issue will be discussed at next week's league meetings and could be included in a larger plan to add up to two regular-season games to the NFL schedule.

"The fan reaction we've had in London has been extraordinary. We would like to feed that passion," Goodell said after speaking at the Charlotte Touchdown Club. "We have a great fan base in the UK. There have been discussions of taking the second game and playing it in another market in the UK. That's something that we'll evaluate."

Not surprised they are talking about sending another game over here. Its a guaranteed 80,000 sell out at Wembley, and the help it must do to marketing teams over here should be huge.

However, I'm not sure how this will go down...I seem to remember there being a few fans getting pissed at losing one of their home games, not if two are going to lose their games, there may well be more people saying enough is enough... Seems to be a 'its all good, as long as my team doesn't lose a home game' attitude around?

On a side-note, its disappointing that the NFL aren't looking at spreading it around Britain (or even Europe for that matter). Just in Britain, Scotland had the 'Scottish Claymores', and must still hold a fanbase (and anyways, a 6 hour train trip from London isn't that bad anyway) and I'm sure Ibrox or Hampden Stadium could host a game. Failing that, there is a load of NFL support in Germany, where NFL Europe/Europa was pretty much based.

Either way....thoughts?

[OzzO]

Eh, since they were (did) play with relocating the pro bowl - why not send that one over and stop messing with people's home games.

[GlassHalfFull]

Originally Posted by OzzO

Eh, since they were (did) play with relocating the pro bowl - why not send that one over and stop messing with people's home games.

Good idea.

Do I remember reading that they were talking about hosting a future super bowl in London?

:not enough coffee this morning: <-----we need a smiley for this

[Hervoyel]

Roger Goodell is Satan. That is all.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by OzzO

Eh, since they were (did) play with relocating the pro bowl - why not send that one over and stop messing with people's home games.

Agreed! They could even move it from year to year to different cities across the pond. It would also give players more incentive to make the Pro Bowl. I mean, a Pro Bowl in Florida? Whoopty doo!

I think they want to expand their merchandise market.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Have an MADDEN NFL Super Bowl playoff game between the 2 world champion finalists, projected on the European stadium's large video boards.

[RTP2110]

Originally Posted by OzzO

Eh, since they were (did) play with relocating the pro bowl - why not send that one over and stop messing with people's home games.

I like the idea. The pro bowl is becoming irrelevant anyway. Europe gets to see the best of the best, the players still get to vacation, and the US fans don't lose a meaningful game.

[Showtime100]

Originally Posted by Polo

I think they want to expand their merchandise market.

If we're lucky, the world will embrace the game. Then new leagues will form, the develop and start signing players away from the NFL. Before you know it we will be watching the NFL on pay-per-view once the NFL teams outbid the competition abroad.

[Blake]

Personally I dont like it. I think the fans deserve to have their team's home games played at home.

If the Texans went, would we have more fans in the UK? Probably. But Ill pass.

[ChrisG]

pro bowl over there would be better than a regular season game. they could charge more and ppl would pay it b.c. all the big name players would b there. Not just two teams players

I don't get why folks think sending the pro-bowl over there is a good idea.

I think people would tire of the event really fast because its not a true representation of the game.

I'd much rather watch a competitive hard fought game vs. a game where they don't even kick real field goals.

[ChrisG]

Originally Posted by Polo

I don't get why folks think sending the pro-bowl over there is a good idea.

I think people would tire of the event really fast because its not a true representation of the game.

I'd much rather watch a competitive hard fought game vs. a game where they don't even kick real field goals.

so would i that is y I want the real games to stay in the US...teams shouldn't lose a home game during the season...i'll let preseason slide

[Speedy]

I'm so sick of this crap!!!

Why don't they just start a damn professional football league in England like the Japanese have baseball and the Greeks have basketball, and stop trying to take our football away from us?

WTF is next, a World American Football Classic?

Goodell is horsecrap!!!

[Txn_in_Oki]

Originally Posted by OzzO

Eh, since they were (did) play with relocating the pro bowl - why not send that one over and stop messing with people's home games.

Exactly. When people complain about games going over seas they get told they are behind in the times and that globalizing the game is good for the NFL.

What is the positive effect other than filling owners wallets? All I see is NFL fans getting screwed out of a home game.

[gtexan02]

Why don't we just give a franchise to London and quit giving them ours. A 6 hour flight form London to the US isn't that long when you only play once a week.

Originally Posted by ChrisG

so would i that is y I want the real games to stay in the US...teams shouldn't lose a home game during the season...i'll let preseason slide

Agreed.

If anything, Goodell needs to let a couple teams play a couple pre-season games over there...

I think fans would much rather lose one of those games vs. losing a regular season game...Plus the fans across the pond would still be getting competitive play...

[Blake]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Why don't we just give a franchise to London and quit giving them ours. A 6 hour flight form London to the US isn't that long when you only play once a week.

Well that works for the east coast teams. Try telling the Seahawks to take an 11 hour flight to London.

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Why don't we just give a franchise to London and quit giving them ours. A 6 hour flight form London to the US isn't that long when you only play once a week.

That is...

Until they are scheduled to play the Raiders or San Francisco...

[Blake]

Originally Posted by Polo

I don't get why folks think sending the pro-bowl over there is a good idea.

I think people would tire of the event really fast because its not a true representation of the game.

I'd much rather watch a competitive hard fought game vs. a game where they don't even kick real field goals.

Great post. I dont understand why anyone thinks the Brits would want to watch a flag football game with no blitzing, or hard hitting. It doesnt make sense.

Plus I think alot of players will decline the offer to play in the pro bowl when it gets moved to Miami, and especially if it was in London.