Games outside the USA?

[RashanGary]

As the world support of the NFL strengthened, there would be TV contracts in other coutries. If we opened up a little bit and let the world know that the NFL wants and appreciates world wide support, I think it could be bigger than it is now.

I wouldn't love the idea of GB playing a game outside the US, but one every now and again wouldn't bother me as much as it would help the league.

[GrnBay007]

What bothers me is it seems to be all for the money. Does the NFL consider the hardship of this plan on the players? The players are their bread and butter. Think about all the talk/effects of a short week.....play Mon night and again on Sun. Imagine what it would be like playing out of the country....not to mention the affects of jet lag.

Not to mention......lets give a little thought to the American fan base that has made the NFL what it is today!

[Tarlam!]

Nick, you don't need to play the regular season games abroad. What you need to do, is utilize the networks you already have. E.G. Has it ever been considered to let the SB Champion play the winner of the Canadian league? if that's too uneven, how about NFLE?


The issue is not whether to promote the game. The issue is whether or not to play regular matches. I am a staunch naysayer, and "expanding market potential" is a pathetic argument put forward by a clueless league. Sorry, the best product in the world can't make elsewhere, because???

[Homer Jay]

The NFL is the most successful , most profitable league in sports. Why? Because of its loyal fans. Don't screw them out of a home game so the billionaires can make more money. Pre-season in Mexico? OK. Otherwise if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[RashanGary]

I think it would eventually have a positive impact on the game. It would get football in the minds of young kids and allow them to dream of becoming an NFL player. Over time, the new roots of football fanism would bring the level of play higher here by having new talent being developed abroad. I think the US has a bad image and by letting everyone know we want their support, it will open things up a bit.

The economics say its good and the long term benfits would be amazing IMHO.

[Tarlam!]

The world appeal of Soccer is that anybody can play it on about 3 inches of ashphalt and with a sock filled with gravel.

Everybody knows the rules (except women and off-sides). So you can play real quick without fear of grave bodily harm.

The thing that makes it such a spectator sport is that every 500 person hick town has 3 clubs. In almost every single Soccer market, it is at least feasible for a hick town to be represented in that countries national league. It is called the "relegation system". It is this system that makes Soccer the world's number 1 followed ball sport.

BUT! That system will not condone the drafting mechanism that is part and parcel of the American system. The drafting system allows athletes leaving school to become zillionaires in a day. That appeals mostly to Americans, and( I exclude myself here) results in major head-shaking elsewhere.

That is what the USA leagues (all of them) need to understand.

The world over loves an underdog. If NFLE were marketed as the league of the underdogs, you better get out of the way, because that is all you need to gain hordes of supporters. Guarantee the league MVP a roster spot on the team that delegated him, or, if it were a FA, lottery the roster spot out.

By guaranteeing a SINGLE PLAYER a roster spot, you would accomplish 20 times what you would playing regular games in London.

[RashanGary]

Some of those kids who get that seed planted today will become some of the NFL players of tomorrow. Imagine Alfonzo Rivera being the star QB of the Oakland Raiders. You think Mexico would tune in to watch their countries star? You bet they would....YOu think they would buy jerseys and dream of becoming just like him? You bet.

It would open the NFL up to the world. The investment wouldn't pay off right away, but over time, the NFL would be so much stronger for it. I think the storylines and level of play would be higher.

I'm all for it. Like I said. I think it would help the NFL grow a lot.

[Tarlam!]

Nick, I grew up in Sydney.

We played "grid-iron" during breaks. There was an Aussie by the name of Mark Harris who was in the league for a coupla years. O-line or D-line (I should look that up) who we all wanted to be like.

The issue is not to get kids dreaming. WE LOVED THAT GAME. Had it have been televised, we'd have all watched it. We only knew the game from movies and american serials. Or Wide World of Sports Specials.

I STILL, TO THIS DAY HAVE NEVER SEEN A LIVE DOWN OF FOOTBALL. Not even high school football.

I have watched a total of 27 games on TV.

You do not need to play regular games abroad. You have a great product with a very Americano marketing department.

[Tarlam!]

The point of my previous rant was, if the NFL wants players from abroad, then, they better figure out a way to get them into the USA school system.

[RashanGary]

The NFL wants to plant the seeds of tomorrow and let it grow. Sure, seeds will get blown from place to place and naturaly grow, but you can go out and plant them where ever you want them. I think it is just a way to speed things up. The world is very quickly coming together. I think it's good to be proactive on the international market.

[Tarlam!]

The NFL wants to plant the seeds of tomorrow and let it grow. Sure, seeds will get blown from place to place and naturaly grow, but you can go out and plant them where ever you want them. I think it is just a way to speed things up. The world is very quickly coming together. I think it's good to be proactive on the international market.

I agree with every single thing you wrote here.

You can do all of this without disrupting an NFL regular season.