NFL London game sells 40,000 tickets in 90 minutes

[Dagmar]

LONDON -- The first regular season NFL game outside North America is shaping up as a hot ticket.

The first 40,000 tickets for the Oct. 28 game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants at the new Wembley Stadium sold in 90 minutes Wednesday.

"The speed in which such a large number of tickets were snapped up ... demonstrates the great excitement and appetite for the game in this country," said Alistair Kirkwood, managing director of NFL UK. "We know that the last few tickets available in this first bitch will be gone very soon."

The first bitch of tickets went to fans in Britain and the rest of Europe selected randomly from registered ticket requests.

Sales in the United States to Giants and Dolphins fans are expected to begin within a week. Further tickets will be released to fans in Britain next month.

About 10,000 fans are expected to travel from the United States, a fraction of the anticipated sellout crowd of 90,000.

Prices range from about $90 (euro66.50) to $180 (euro133), using a pricing structure similar to this weekend's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2872326&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

[Atwater His Ass]

whoopdie doo. still a stupid idea to play regular season games outside the US. I could care less how fast they sell tickets.

[Kaylore]

I think it's great.

[Dagmar]

It's all about the http://webwinner.info/Images/navbar_money.jpg

[Atwater His Ass]

unfortunatley, yes it is.

[watermock]

Unfortunately, the NFL bought 30 thousand of those and will have sock puppets in the stands.

[Dedhed]

Globalizing the NFL is a bad idea. Watch.

[atomicbloke]

Globalizing the NFL is a bad idea. Watch.

Bad for whom?

The fans or the owners? Only one of them count.

[watermock]

Wveryone knows that soccer football is the real sport of choice.

[Meck77]

Bad for whom?

The fans or the owners? Only one of them count.

Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that. I've had conversations with the Broncos marketing and there was a time a couple years ago they were real worried about the amount of people not renewing their season tickets.

Granted Bowlen runs a tight enough ship to keep people on the waiting list but other owners aren't so fortunate. If the Broncos waiting list dropped down to a couple thousand you could bet the Broncos would be bending over backwards to keep the fans happy. Instead you have constantly increasing ticket prices along with everything else because Demand for Broncos tickets far outweighs Supply.

[theAPAOps5]

Anyone else find it hilarious that the bad word filter took out Batch in Dags post?

[chaz]

i noticed the censorship too!

im very skeptical of moving the nfl overseas...i just dont think it is smart to take the game away from the loyal fans in the US. but i know money talks...and thats all this is about.

[eddie mac]

Why shouldn't it be a worldwide game afterall the Superbowl Champions are referred to as the World Champions are they not???

You dont think the likes of the Jags would appreciate some income from abroad considering they dont make enough from their own fans???

I dont understand the negativity from some US fans about this. Is it the "It's our ball and you cant play with it" mentality???

FFS people it's a beautiful game and it should be shared throughout the world.

[Arkansas Bronco]

They want it more then me I wouldn't pay 10 bucks to watch the fins and the giants and they have that type of mad rush. I have heard the BBC is going to be showing some NFL games this year so it looks like the NFLE has stirred up some interest.

[chrisp]

As an international fan, I get really really p***ed off with the narrow-minded pillocks who don't want the NFL to internationalise.

I liken all those people to the ones who though flying was a bad idea that would come to naught...

It should be seen as an embarrassment that American Football isn't really played or watched much outside of the USA, but a worrying number of people seem to see that as a good thing. Pull your face away from your navels people....

[atomicbloke]

I dont understand the negativity from some US fans about this. Is it the "It's our ball and you cant play with it" mentality???



And what is wrong with that sentiment?

How would you feel if Irish icons like the Dublin Theatre Festival or the Cork Jazz Festival were moved to New York City for commercial reasons?

Why can't Americans want one of their grandest icons to remain with them?

It's a certainty that the foreign SB will happen. Fans in America might understand it's a business, but they don't have to like it.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Why shouldn't it be a worldwide game afterall the Superbowl Champions are referred to as the World Champions are they not???

You dont think the likes of the Jags would appreciate some income from abroad considering they dont make enough from their own fans???

I dont understand the negativity from some US fans about this. Is it the "It's our ball and you cant play with it" mentality???

FFS people it's a beautiful game and it should be shared throughout the world.

It's not the World Football League in case you forgot. Let the rest of the world field their own damn teams if they want to watch real football live.

[atomicbloke]

As an international fan, I get really really p***ed off with the narrow-minded pillocks who don't want the NFL to internationalise.

I liken all those people to the ones who though flying was a bad idea that would come to naught...

It should be seen as an embarrassment that American Football isn't really played or watched much outside of the USA, but a worrying number of people seem to see that as a good thing. Pull your face away from your navels people....

Let's see how a broad minded nobleman like you would feel about the Guy Fawkes Night being moved to Los Angeles and the Wimbledon being moved to San Francisco.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

As an international fan, I get really really p***ed off with the narrow-minded pillocks who don't want the NFL to internationalise.

I liken all those people to the ones who though flying was a bad idea that would come to naught...

It should be seen as an embarrassment that American Football isn't really played or watched much outside of the USA, but a worrying number of people seem to see that as a good thing. Pull your face away from your navels people....OK, be pissed off at the NFL players because they hate the idea the most. Flying around our country is grueling enough playing this game, flying around the world to play it is idiocy.

[eddie mac]

And what is wrong with that sentiment?

How would you feel if Irish icons like the Dublin Theatre Festival or the Cork Jazz Festival were moved to New York City for commercial reasons?

Why can't Americans want one of their grandest icons to remain with them?

It's a certainty that the foreign SB will happen. Fans in America might understand it's a business, but they don't have to like it.

I believe you're referring to the actual Superbowl. I'm talking about regular season games. Unless you as a fan are missing out on taking your seat or paying additional travelling expenses to watch your team across the Atlantic why on earth would you have a problem with a few regular season games taking part in an alternative country???

[Hogan11]

I really hate the idea, but there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.....so, as long as it's not a Denver home game being sacrificed on the greedy alter of globalization, let them knock themselves out.

In the meantime, the NFL should just quit putting off the inevitable, buy out whomever still owns the logo below, rename itself and just get it over with.

[scorpio]

Hmm, if they want to showcase the NFL they should have picked better teams.

[eddie mac]

It's not the World Football League in case you forgot. Let the rest of the world field their own damn teams if they want to watch real football live.

Now you know yourself BB that anything like this couldn't happen overnight.

Take for example the real football game (or soccer as you call it) was never heard of in the US until the mid-late 70's and after much promotion it is now a sport partaken in colleges and schools all over the US and has it's own professional league soon to be covered by your top sports network.

Who's to say 10-20 years down the road the same think isn't happening over here with the option of playing American Football as a school sport???

I'd love for my 5 year old son to get an opportunity like that.

About a year ago I started getting him interested in the game and we would have a laugh out on the front lawn throwing a mini ball around and touch tackling and that. Next thing I know every kid in the damn street is watching and wants to learn the rules and how to play.

So there's at least 2 scrimmages a week now with about 8-10 kids involved everytime.

[Rock Chalk]

Why shouldn't it be a worldwide game afterall the Superbowl Champions are referred to as the World Champions are they not???

You dont think the likes of the Jags would appreciate some income from abroad considering they dont make enough from their own fans???

I dont understand the negativity from some US fans about this. Is it the "It's our ball and you cant play with it" mentality???

FFS people it's a beautiful game and it should be shared throughout the world.

Stingy American greedy pricks who think its their right to enjoy football.

I personally think its a great idea. Like basketball, in a few decades we may end up seeing a global community in football instead of primarily Americans. Id truly like to see it grow beyond what we Americans already know as the best sport ever invented.

[Hogan11]

If you thought further expansion in the USA would water down the league....wait till they start setting up international divisions.

[Rock Chalk]

Let's see how a broad minded nobleman like you would feel about the Guy Fawkes Night being moved to Los Angeles and the Wimbledon being moved to San Francisco.

Wimbledon is a single event in a global sport. Thats a horrendous analogy since they arent moving the Superbowl which none of us can afford to go to anyway, overseas. They want to give more publicity to the game to get more fans and MAYBE by doing that, by seeing the best of the best play the game of football instead of the scrubs, leagues in other countries can start up because there is enough of a fanbase to support it.

Globalize it. Its sport, not economics. Sport should be shared by all.

[KipCorrington25]

I'm surprised because according to Lewis & Floorwax this morning 50% of males in England are gay.

[Atwater His Ass]

Eddie Mac, you just don't get it and I assume you are not from or currently not living in the US.

It is our game. There are only 16 games a year. It's a travesty that any one of those games for any 2 teams should be played outside of their home town. You want football overseas? Watch NFL Europa or whatever they call it now.

Where does it end? One game here, one game there. Then more and more. Suddenly we are looking at expanding to teams in Europe and Mexico and there is already a diluting skill level at certain positions. This will get worse. How would it be fair with time changes and travel times to scheudle a season for a team in Europe? And don't lie to yourself. Out of North America expansion is where this is going long term, so why not start addressing these issues now instead of letting ourselves get lulled to sleep by the league becasue "it's just one a game a year".

You think they are going to move EPL or Champion's League matches over here anytime soon? Can you imagine the uproar? Please.

[eddie mac]

Eddie Mac, you just don't get it and I assume you are not from or currently not living in the US.

It is our game. There are only 16 games a year. It's a travesty that any one of those games for any 2 teams should be played outside of their home town. You want football overseas? Watch NFL Europa or whatever they call it now.

Where does it end? One game here, one game there. Then more and more. Suddenly we are looking at expanding to teams in Europe and Mexico and there is already a diluting skill level at certain positions. This will get worse. How would it be fair with time changes and travel times to scheudle a season for a team in Europe? And don't lie to yourself. Out of North America expansion is where this is going long term, so why not start addressing these issues now instead of letting ourselves get lulled to sleep by the league becasue "it's just one a game a year".

You think they are going to move EPL or Champion's League matches over here anytime soon? Can you imagine the uproar? Please.

That's the problem right there. It's the NFL's game and they'll take it wherever the **** they want.:~ohyah!:

[eddie mac]

Eddie Mac, you just don't get it and I assume you are not from or currently not living in the US.

It is our game. There are only 16 games a year. It's a travesty that any one of those games for any 2 teams should be played outside of their home town. You want football overseas? Watch NFL Europa or whatever they call it now.

Where does it end? One game here, one game there. Then more and more. Suddenly we are looking at expanding to teams in Europe and Mexico and there is already a diluting skill level at certain positions. This will get worse. How would it be fair with time changes and travel times to scheudle a season for a team in Europe? And don't lie to yourself. Out of North America expansion is where this is going long term, so why not start addressing these issues now instead of letting ourselves get lulled to sleep by the league becasue "it's just one a game a year".

You think they are going to move EPL or Champion's League matches over here anytime soon? Can you imagine the uproar? Please.

The Champions League will be replaced by a Worldwide League within the next 20 years. Guaranteed. With teams from South America/North America/Europe/Asia and Africa competing against each other on far bigger scale than the current World Club Championship. Sort the TV markets out first then watch the money role in. Everything's money.;)

You actually think all these American owners took over Premiership clubs for fun???

[rbackfactory80]

Some people will never understand the business side of anything.

[Atwater His Ass]

Some people will never understand the business side of anything.

I clearly understand the business side of it. It's not a difficult concept. But why would that mean I have to like it or accept what they are doing?

And Eddie, you are right. It's not my game per se, but I support it by being a fan a finacialy with buying merchandise and tickets. I understand your view. You are a fan too. This is nothing but a win win in your shoes because you might get a game or two and maybe even a team over there sometime.

But I think it cheapens the league to globalize it like this. Not from a financial standpoint, but from a competitive standpoint and as I see the situation, it is nothing more than a money grab. The only reason this is on the table is because of money. It has nothing to do with making the league better. And if you cheapen the league enough this way, eventually you end up with something like the NBA and MLB that nobody really cares about. It's just something to watch every now and then in the offseason.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Some people will never understand the business side of anything.And some people don't care if the greatest game in the world is watered down to oblivion.

[UKBronco]

September was due to be my first trip to Wembley to watch the NFL, but now i've got the added prize of going to watch West Brom v Derby County in the Championship Play-off final on Monday 28th May.

I know you're all dead jealous.

[Drunk Monkey]

The game will not be watered down in the long run. I have a real problem with people who fail to accept that we are part of a larger community (the world). Yes it is our game but others need to get more interested in it. Having lived outside the US for a while I know what we are missing. The sense of community and comrade that comes with supporting your country against another is great, For both sides. We see some of it in the Olympics but that is pretty much it. Americans are most interested in sports that no one else is. I would like to see us more involved in the world community. Especially on an individual level not just government.

[rbackfactory80]

[QUOTE=Atwater His Ass;1589345]I clearly understand the business side of it. It's not a difficult concept. But why would that mean I have to like it or accept what they are doing?

You dont have to like it, just understand that its inevitable.

[rbackfactory80]

And some people don't care if the greatest game in the world is watered down to oblivion.

Stop being such a drama queen. Nobody wants to see a watered down game. Maybe leagues like the Nba are the fake leagues. They get their asses handed to them annually by teams from European countries.

[Hogan11]

Stop being such a drama queen. Nobody wants to see a watered down game. Maybe leagues like the Nba are the fake leagues. They get their asses handed to them annually by teams from European countries.

Watered down is what you're going to get though if the NFL goes global...not to mention problems with travel, schedules, exchange rates and whatnot...

[Atwater His Ass]

How will it not be watered down? There already are not 32 NFL caliber QBs. Expansion will make it worse, and will start to affect other positions as well.

And how would globalization of the NFL promote country comarde? Say 32 teams based in the US and 2 in Europe? Or are you suggesting dividing the 32 current teams up into 32 different countries?

No one is so naive to not realize we are part of the world community. The argument is that it will be bad for the league in the long run to globalize, imo. I think things like NFL Europe are great. EPL exhibition games in the US are great too, but I don't expect to have an American based team in that league anytime soon or ever. Maybe Europe can get their own american football league going since there seems to be so much interest and then we can have tournament after both leagues have played their seasons to decide the true world champion. Hell, let south america get something going too and throw the CFL in there too. But don't take away from the NFL to do it.

There are a lot of other sports that have that global appeal. Baseball, softball, soccer, hockey, basketball, track and field, skiing, etc. And the reason is because other countries through out the world are also interested in those sports and hence develop atheletes to compete at a world class level which then spawns world competitions, i.e., world cup soccer, world cup skiing, olympics, so on and so forth.

There a ton of sports that Americans could support that are genuie world wide sports to support their country. And many do. But that interest that spawns world wide competition does not exist with american football. Trying to force that hand is ridiculous and that isn't what the NFL is doing anyway. They just want to make more money and they admittadly, they are free to do that. I just don't care for it.

[Orange_Beard]

I am going to start a Bronco's football firm.
We need some of that hooliganism in the streets.

[Master___Pain]

This is pure speculation, but I'd think that the NFLPA has to have a fairly major say in the growth of the NFL overseas. I'd have a hard time seeing a 10 year vet wanting to uproot his family and head to London or Munich or Barcelona and play football. Hell, I'd have a hard time seeing some hot shot 1st rounder wanting to start his career overseas. And let's face it, we are a long, long way off from having a critical mass of international players that will contribute to the talent pool of the NFL. Right now, aside from a handful of players that may have had their parents immigrate to the US, there are no foreign citizens playing in the NFL.

[Atwater His Ass]

You're right Pain and help prove the point. There just plain isn't enough interest or talent to support a league of their own overseas. Hence, the only way to make money now is to whore out the league you have.

I think it's also a bad correlation to draw with these ticket sale numbers. Tickets sell pretty well in the US for EPL exhibition games for example and if they had a real game here it would sell fine. However, there still isn't the interest to support a truley world class soccer league here. The same is in Europe. Sure, they will sell out and have a good showing for the games there because you are bringing in an established product that is the best of its kind. It's a poor gage to efftively evaluate the poplularity of american football.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Stop being such a drama queen. Nobody wants to see a watered down game. Maybe leagues like the Nba are the fake leagues. They get their asses handed to them annually by teams from European countries.Stop being such an ignorant poop. If you don't understand what "watered down" means try informing yourself.

[RhymesayersDU]

Wow, we have got some real leaps of faith going on here.

Where has anybody, from the NFL or otherwise, said anything about expansion?

Can somebody provide a link?

Didn't think so. Nobody has said that at all. Somebody brought up the NBA and MLB. Those have been global sports for a while, and here's a shocker, the farthest they've gone is Canada, which doesn't even remotely come near going overseas for teams.

First it's the travel issues. Then it's the "this is our game, AMERICA's GAME" mentality. Then it's the game is being watered down. What is the next excuse? It's going to be a doozy, I'm sure. Probably something having to do with weapons of mass destruction.

1 or 2 games overseas to sell some extra jerseys and sell some NFL Sunday Ticket packages isn't going to ruin "your" game.

Seriously, some of this is laughable at best.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Wow, we have got some real leaps of faith going on here.

Where has anybody, from the NFL or otherwise, said anything about expansion?

Can somebody provide a link?

Didn't think so. Nobody has said that at all. Somebody brought up the NBA and MLB. Those have been global sports for a while, and here's a shocker, the farthest they've gone is Canada, which doesn't even remotely come near going overseas for teams.
First it's the travel issues. Then it's the "this is our game, AMERICA's GAME" mentality. Then it's the game is being watered down. What is the next excuse? It's going to be a doozy, I'm sure. Probably something having to do with weapons of mass destruction.
1 or 2 games overseas to sell some extra jerseys and sell some NFL Sunday Ticket packages isn't going to ruin "your" game.
Seriously, some of this is laughable at best.Uh, this is exactly what this about, expanding the schedule and taking it out of the country.

Seems to be a lot of uninformed people here that don't understand how demanding it is physically for the players to play 16 games in the NFL.

[Atwater His Ass]

I think you are kidding yourself if you don't believe that one of the long term goals of this is to get a team or teams overseas and/or someplace in Mexico or Canada.

[Dagmar]

This is pure speculation, but I'd think that the NFLPA has to have a fairly major say in the growth of the NFL overseas. I'd have a hard time seeing a 10 year vet wanting to uproot his family and head to London or Munich or Barcelona and play football. Hell, I'd have a hard time seeing some hot shot 1st rounder wanting to start his career overseas. And let's face it, we are a long, long way off from having a critical mass of international players that will contribute to the talent pool of the NFL. Right now, aside from a handful of players that may have had their parents immigrate to the US, there are no foreign citizens playing in the NFL.

I am pretty sure the chiefs kicker is Scottish.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

As for selling 40,000 tickets in 90 minutes - what's the big deal. If suddenly a Bronco game at Invesco was announced, 75,000 tickets would be sold in 20 minutes.

[rbackfactory80]

Stop being such an ignorant poop. If you don't understand what "watered down" means try informing yourself.

I have read your posts. I am well aware of what it means.

[Arkansas Bronco]

I believe the NFL isnt moving to Europe, it is just exhibition and possibly stir up more intrest. It is going to take years to prepare them to form their own league.
I mean this is going to have to be from the ground up. Any Europeans reading this - How many schools have American football available to play? I bet not many and that is where it will have to take off from.

[RhymesayersDU]

Uh, this is exactly what this about, expanding the schedule and taking it out of the country.

Seems to be a lot of uninformed people here that don't understand how demanding it is physically for the players to play 16 games in the NFL.

I was referring to people complaining about expansion of the league from 32 teams to a bigger number, with teams overseas.

[Atwater His Ass]

Or even without expansion. How would people feel if a team relocated outside of the US? Much of the same issues still apply.

[Master___Pain]

I am pretty sure the chiefs kicker is Scottish.

I should have said aside from kickers and punters. And even at that, there are only a handful at most. My point still stands though, we are a long, long way off from building a talent pool that could compete with American HS football teams, let alone being able to add a contributing talent pool to the NFL. I hate the idea of a 17th game, even if it were played in the US. 16+ 4-5 preseason+ playoffs is plenty. I do understand marketing the game globally, but I don't think that American Football is ever going to be globally played. Europe is about the only place where I can see the NFL have much traction, outside of Canada and Mexico.

[MileHighMagic]

Now you know yourself BB that anything like this couldn't happen overnight.

Take for example the real football game (or soccer as you call it) was never heard of in the US until the mid-late 70's and after much promotion it is now a sport partaken in colleges and schools all over the US and has it's own professional league soon to be covered by your top sports network.

Who's to say 10-20 years down the road the same think isn't happening over here with the option of playing American Football as a school sport???

I'd love for my 5 year old son to get an opportunity like that.

About a year ago I started getting him interested in the game and we would have a laugh out on the front lawn throwing a mini ball around and touch tackling and that. Next thing I know every kid in the damn street is watching and wants to learn the rules and how to play.

So there's at least 2 scrimmages a week now with about 8-10 kids involved everytime.

Cool!

[Garcia Bronco]

An hour in a half is a long time to sell that many tickets to such an exclusive event. I've seen Dead Shows sellout 50,000 seat in 30 minutes for one show with many other shows on other dates.

[Master___Pain]

An hour in a half is a long time to sell that many tickets to such an exclusive event. I've seen Dead Shows sellout 50,000 seat in 30 minutes for one show with many other shows on other dates.

Dirty Hippies don't have anything else to do besides follow the Dead. Not quite apples and oranges Garcia. ;)

[Garcia Bronco]

Dirty Hippies don't have anything else to do besides follow the Dead. Not quite apples and oranges Garcia. ;)

:D...They're still fruit. :)

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Now you know yourself BB that anything like this couldn't happen overnight.

Take for example the real football game (or soccer as you call it) was never heard of in the US until the mid-late 70's and after much promotion it is now a sport partaken in colleges and schools all over the US and has it's own professional league soon to be covered by your top sports network.

Who's to say 10-20 years down the road the same think isn't happening over here with the option of playing American Football as a school sport???

I'd love for my 5 year old son to get an opportunity like that.

About a year ago I started getting him interested in the game and we would have a laugh out on the front lawn throwing a mini ball around and touch tackling and that. Next thing I know every kid in the damn street is watching and wants to learn the rules and how to play.

So there's at least 2 scrimmages a week now with about 8-10 kids involved everytime.That's good stuff! Now, get your family together and come and see the real thing at an NFL stadium in America sometime :)

[Drunk Monkey]

Can anyone name one "world wide league"? Soccer is broken up by countries. Basketball same. Rugby same. It is not a question of starting up teams in other countries it is a question of exposing more of the world to the sport. The next step following increased exposure would be a strengthening of the current european league - NFL Europe. The Fifa cups, Tri Nations tournaments and other similar event would be down the road when the comp level is more balanced. Way down the road.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Dirty Hippies don't have anything else to do besides follow the Dead. Not quite apples and oranges Garcia. ;)Here's a few of those dead head hippie fans...

Ann Coulter, Tucker Carlson, Deroy Murdock, Bill Walton, William Weld, Steve Silberman, David Gans, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin Herbert, Brian Bateman, Pete Carroll, Jim Irsay, Linda Carroll. :peace:

[Drunk Monkey]

I am also against extending the season to 17 games but have no problem with playing some of the existing games out of the country.

[Master___Pain]

Here's a few of those dead head hippie fans...

Ann Coulter, Tucker Carlson, Deroy Murdock, Bill Walton, William Weld, Steve Silberman, David Gans, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin Herbert, Brian Bateman, Pete Carroll, Jim Irsay, Linda Carroll. :peace:

Like I said. Dirty Hippies. You've listed the handful that actually have some sort of talent. ;D

[eddie mac]

Uh, this is exactly what this about, expanding the schedule and taking it out of the country.

Seems to be a lot of uninformed people here that don't understand how demanding it is physically for the players to play 16 games in the NFL.

That's laughable in itself. 16 games per year for the amount of money some of those players make is an absolute joke. NBA season consists of 82 games, baseball 160 or thereabouts, 80 odd in Ice Hockey. NFL players get off easy when it comes to games played.

[Master___Pain]

That's laughable in itself. 16 games per year for the amount of money some of those players make is an absolute joke. NBA season consists of 82 games, baseball 160 or thereabouts, 80 odd in Ice Hockey. NFL players get off easy when it comes to games played.

Curious, does anyone know haw many games/matches make up a rugby or Aussie Rules season? These seem like a much better comparison than comparing Football to baseball, basketball and hockey. How many soccer matches in the Premier league make up a season?

I'd strongly disagree that the NFL players have it "easy". That's a ridiculous statement.

[eddie mac]

Any expansion of the NFL in terms of a team outside North America is so far off it's unimagineable.

For starters the roots of sport in said country would need to change and that wouldn't happen over a couple of years. Your talking 10-20 years maybe even more than that. Said country would have to groom it's own potential NFL stars from school upwards. Pretty similar to the transition the USA made to adapting to soccer and bringing through their own kids.

At this moment in time you couldn't expect existing NFL stars to uproot their families for 4-5 months of the season to move to an expansion team outside the US. It's okay at present for training-camp fodder to do so in NFL Europa because in most cases some of those players are already attached to an NFL Team and by moving to Europe for 3-4 months they're pursuing their dream of making an NFL roster.

[eddie mac]

Curious, does anyone know haw many games/matches make up a rugby or Aussie Rules season? These seem like a much better comparison than comparing Football to baseball, basketball and hockey. How many soccer matches in the Premier league make up a season?

I'd strongly disagree that the NFL players have it "easy". That's a ridiculous statement.

Professional rugby teams in England and France play a minimum of 34 games per season and that does not include knockout cup games. 80 minutes solid play, no coming on the pitch and going on again for selective plays.

[Crushaholic]

Any expansion of the NFL in terms of a team outside North America is so far off it's unimagineable.

For starters the roots of sport in said country would need to change and that wouldn't happen over a couple of years. Your talking 10-20 years maybe even more than that. Said country would have to groom it's own potential NFL stars from school upwards. Pretty similar to the transition the USA made to adapting to soccer and bringing through their own kids.

At this moment in time you couldn't expect existing NFL stars to uproot their families for 4-5 months of the season to move to an expansion team outside the US. It's okay at present for training-camp fodder to do so in NFL Europa because in most cases some of those players are already attached to an NFL Team and by moving to Europe for 3-4 months they're pursuing their dream of making an NFL roster.

Yep. In order for this to work internationally, you have to have people playing American football at the lower levels in other countries. You can't expect Americans to feed future international NFL teams forever. I know the NFL sees dollar signs, but this just won't work unless there is a support system in other countries to build up their own stars...

[Bronco_Beerslug]

That's laughable in itself. 16 games per year for the amount of money some of those players make is an absolute joke. NBA season consists of 82 games, baseball 160 or thereabouts, 80 odd in Ice Hockey. NFL players get off easy when it comes to games played.Anyone trying to compare any other major sport to the amount of punishment NFL players suffer has no clue.

[Atwater His Ass]

Rugby isn't a fair comparison either. The physicality of the NFL is unique. No other sport really compares.

[Beantown Bronco]

Life expectancy for the average soccer player is probably twice that of the average NFL player. That tells me all I need to know about the wear and tear differences between the sports.

[Atwater His Ass]

That's a pretty outrageous statment beantown. Football is more physical, yes, but I would bet a large portion of the NFL playerbase couldn't complete a full soccer season, including all the exihibitoin and tournaments played through out the year. They are both physicaly and atheleticaly demanding, they just require different skill sets.

[Master___Pain]

That's a pretty outrageous statment beantown. Football is more physical, yes, but I would bet a large portion of the NFL playerbase couldn't complete a full soccer season, including all the exihibitoin and tournaments played through out the year. They are both physicaly and atheleticaly demanding, they just require different skill sets.

You don't think football has more wear and tear on the body than soccer? Yes, you have to be a gifted athlete to play either on a high level, but dudes that even played football through college probably have way more chronic health issues than a soccer player that played through college.

[Atwater His Ass]

I'm not arguing that soccer has more wear and tear on the body. It obviously doesn't. But I wouldn't go so far to say that the life expectancy of a professional soccer player is double that of a professional football player.

[Master___Pain]

I'm not arguing that soccer has more wear and tear on the body. It obviously doesn't. But I wouldn't go so far to say that the life expectancy of a professional soccer player is double that of a professional football player.

Very true. I was not taking Beantown's comment as fact, rather he seemed to be exaggerating to make a point.

[Beantown Bronco]

Very true. I was not taking Beantown's comment as fact, rather he seemed to be exaggerating to make a point.

Exactly...the average life expectancy of a player in the NFL is 55 years old (52 for linemen). The average for the rest of the country is 77-78.


http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/10/20/100loc_afootball001.cfm

There are no studies for just soccer players (at least that I could find), but groups European athletes were lumped together in one study and the result was in the mid-70s. So it's obviously not double, but it is about a 40% difference.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8450727&dopt=Abstract

And I'm willing to bet that all of the NFL's skill position players could make it through a European soccer season with little problem (we'll leave the linemen out of this because their jobs are completely different and the preparation they go through just doesn't translate very well to any other sport). The NFL is just as much of a year-round commitment, if not more, than soccer (most players have one month or less to themselves all year long). Just because they don't play games year round doesn't mean the players aren't participating in the team's off-season conditioning programs.

[Willynowei]

Football dominates all other sports in the US and yet it sits somewhere near the bottom world wide behind racing, soccer, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, the list goes on.

This is more about generating interest in Football around the world, increasing the league's marketability and even helping further the development of the european leagues there.

From the east coast of the US to Europe is only a few hours longer than it is to get to California. The more people playing football the better.

[Garcia Bronco]

From the east coast of the US to Europe is only a few hours longer than it is to get to California. The more people playing football the better.

Dude...it's a 18 hour flight from here to Thailand

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Football dominates all other sports in the US and yet it sits somewhere near the bottom world wide behind racing, soccer, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, the list goes on.

This is more about generating interest in Football around the world, increasing the league's marketability and even helping further the development of the european leagues there.

From the east coast of the US to Europe is only a few hours longer than it is to get to California. The more people playing football the better.Why? I have no reason in the world to care if the Bosnians, Danes, Germans, Iranians, Turks, Vietnamese, etc... are playing football or not.

[atomicbloke]

Why? I have no reason in the world to care if the Bosnians, Danes, Germans, Iranians, Turks, Vietnamese, etc... are playing football or not.

And you and me count for absolutely nothing.

But the people making money off the NFL would love it if there are more people playing football everywhere because it means more $$$$

[broncocalijohn]

Anyone else find it hilarious that the bad word filter took out Batch in Dags post?


No. Dagmar has a bad keyboard and misspelled it b.i.t.c.h. (take out the periods). I wonfer if Scottish Bronco and Bronco BLue going to this game? It isnt the Broncos but it is football for them. Who is the home game? I cant imagine the Giants got hosed out of one unless they did based on the Saints away game that got at home last year. WOuld even it up.

[broncocalijohn]

And you and me count for absolutely nothing.

But the people making money off the NFL would love it if there are more people playing football everywhere because it means more $$$$

And get those Euros to stop playing that stupid game of Soccer. I mean if Angryllama likes it (outside of the Broncos), you know it sucks.

[atomicbloke]

And get those Euros to stop playing that stupid game of Soccer. I mean if Angryllama likes it (outside of the Broncos), you know it sucks.

And if you think the Europeans will abandon soccer in favor of football, then you are as stupid as Angryllama when he says that Americans will abandon football for soccer.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

And you and me count for absolutely nothing.

But the people making money off the NFL would love it if there are more people playing football everywhere because it means more $$$$Uh, if you are like me you count for a bunch of money filling the owners pockets (between live attendance, NFL Network, NFL Sunday Package, general TV viewing, NFL paraphernalia purchases, etc...

[atomicbloke]

Uh, if you are like me you count for a bunch of money filling the owners pockets (between live attendance, NFL Network, NFL Sunday Package, general TV viewing, NFL paraphernalia purchases, etc...

And you and me will still spend our money on NFL products, even if they go ahead with globalization. Seriously, are you going to stop watching NFL because they have games in Europe?

And even if you do, there will be someone else who will grab your season ticket . Or maybe a Bosnian or Iranian or Vietnamiese will buy the jerseys and stuff. So the NFL loses nothing. They don't care if the money comes from you or from some German dude. Infact the NFL might prefer a rich foreign dude as a customer over us.

The NFL has marketing research analysts who calculate precisely these things that we are speculating about and they probably feel that globalization will make them more money.

The game _will_ go to Europe. Me and you might not like it, but there is nothing we can do about it.

The only way it could backfire for them is through overexposure... i.e. getting a whole franchise there instead of single games or just the SB.

[Hogan11]

There's nothing anyone can do except hope that Denver doesn't ever lose a future home game to this misguided policy.

[broncolife]

If they extend the schedule to 17, it would make perfect sense to have one game a year abroad for every team. It would even out the home and away games for everyone.

[broncocalijohn]

And if you think the Europeans will abandon soccer in favor of football, then you are as stupid as Angryllama when he says that Americans will abandon football for soccer.

And if you really think i was offering a fact that soccer would be replaced than you are as dumb as usedupbraids. It was just to slam Angryllama and soccer. Take it for what it is. The fact that they like a 0 to 0 tie knows we will always be different than our pasty brothers over the pond.

[rubaiyat]

Eddie Mac, you just don't get it and I assume you are not from or currently not living in the US.

It is our game. There are only 16 games a year. It's a travesty that any one of those games for any 2 teams should be played outside of their home town. You want football overseas? Watch NFL Europa or whatever they call it now.

Where does it end? One game here, one game there. Then more and more. Suddenly we are looking at expanding to teams in Europe and Mexico and there is already a diluting skill level at certain positions. This will get worse. How would it be fair with time changes and travel times to scheudle a season for a team in Europe? And don't lie to yourself. Out of North America expansion is where this is going long term, so why not start addressing these issues now instead of letting ourselves get lulled to sleep by the league becasue "it's just one a game a year".

You think they are going to move EPL or Champion's League matches over here anytime soon? Can you imagine the uproar? Please.


Wait...aren't they going to add one game? So no team loses a home game? This one may not be that, but from here on out isn't that the case?

[Atwater His Ass]

I belive that is the plan that has been laid out.

[rubaiyat]

Stop being such a drama queen. Nobody wants to see a watered down game. Maybe leagues like the Nba are the fake leagues. They get their asses handed to them annually by teams from European countries.

Playing a different game...with largely our 2nd tier stars.

[Rock Chalk]

There's nothing anyone can do except hope that Denver doesn't ever lose a future home game to this misguided policy.

Dont be retarded.

IF they go ahead with this policy, they will expand the season to 17 games so all teams play 1 neutral game site. No owner is going to lose the home game revenue, not even the ****ty Cardinals.

[RhymesayersDU]

Dont be retarded.

IF they go ahead with this policy, they will expand the season to 17 games so all teams play 1 neutral game site. No owner is going to lose the home game revenue, not even the ****ty Cardinals.

I don't know if it's your daughter, or being hitched, or what... But you're the voice of reason lately.

Scary, no?

[Dagmar]

No. Dagmar has a bad keyboard and misspelled it b.i.t.c.h. (take out the periods). I wonfer if Scottish Bronco and Bronco BLue going to this game? It isnt the Broncos but it is football for them. Who is the home game? I cant imagine the Giants got hosed out of one unless they did based on the Saints away game that got at home last year. WOuld even it up.

Dude, when I click on the link it changes to b i t c h. I have no idea why. Strange.

[No1BroncoFan]

Why shouldn't it be a worldwide game afterall the Superbowl Champions are referred to as the World Champions are they not???

You dont think the likes of the Jags would appreciate some income from abroad considering they dont make enough from their own fans???

I dont understand the negativity from some US fans about this. Is it the "It's our ball and you cant play with it" mentality???

FFS people it's a beautiful game and it should be shared throughout the world.
And will you feel the same way when the Broncos get picked as the "home" team in an overseas match giving us 7 real home games and nine on the road?

I don't have much problem with generating interest in other countries, but let them get their own freaking teams! Why should any team here have to give up a home game so that Europe can watch a live game?

Ben

[Atwater His Ass]

Pre-season games are more than enough to generate foreign interest. No need to ship them any sort of regular season or post-season game what the **** ever.

[Kaylore]

I'm amazed at how ridiculous some of you are being about this. It's one game and fans overseas want to see it. This talk of watering down the game and the game being "ours" is some of the most hysterical, close-minded and childish.

This game abroad is designed to boost support for the sport in other countries. They're trying to grow the league's appeal. Does that mean they want to open a franchise in London next year? NO! Does that mean that if we play a game overseas that we're polluting the game with foreigners? No! Does that mean that some fans will be denied a home game? Yes, but is that really that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things? The NFL (for better and worse) has been blessed with leaders who know how to market their product. All this is is drumming up support and that some of you are wringing your hands over this like it's some kind of league-destroying move is ridiculous.

[Kaylore]

Dont be retarded.

IF they go ahead with this policy, they will expand the season to 17 games so all teams play 1 neutral game site. No owner is going to lose the home game revenue, not even the ****ty Cardinals.

What? You mean they've thought this through? I'd rather rant about the whole NFL being ruined by one overseas game. It sure ruined the Niners and Cardinals Franchise when they played to a sold out crowd in Mexico. Pity those franchises had to endure that travesty. :pity:

[broncocalijohn]

Just take away one preseason game and put it on neutral field. It could be London, Toronto, Orange COunty or Mexico. This way both fans and owner is happy and so are the players union. One extra paycheck.

[RhymesayersDU]

Pre-season games are more than enough to generate foreign interest. No need to ship them any sort of regular season or post-season game what the **** ever.

Yeah, because it's worked so well thus far.

[eddie mac]

Pre-season games are more than enough to generate foreign interest. No need to ship them any sort of regular season or post-season game what the **** ever.

We have Pre-Season games in Europe already. 31 of them to be exact and it's called NFL Europa.

Problem being we want to see real stars in the flesh and why shouldn't we be able to without having to fork out thousands of pounds on flights and accomodation in the US if there is a market to bring said games here??? Our £ is just as good as your $ in the NFL's eyes.

Plus Alec is spot on. The proposed move to a 17 game season means that each team will have one game per year at a neutral venue.

How the hell does that water down the NFL???

[Bronco_Beerslug]

What? You mean they've thought this through? I'd rather rant about the whole NFL being ruined by one overseas game. It sure ruined the Niners and Cardinals Franchise when they played to a sold out crowd in Mexico. Pity those franchises had to endure that travesty. :pity:No kidding, those two teams suck! :~ohyah!:

Who ever heard of a season in any pro sport with an odd number of games? So we're going to skew all the stats and records by adding one more game (played on foreign soccer fields not NFL fields) to an already long enough/too long of a season just so the greedy owners can add more millions to their bottom line.

I think we ought to add 21 games a year in baseball to places like Russia and Turkey so we can "broaden their horizons" also (along with compensating the owners more appropriately).

If the players have any sense at all they'll reject this nonsense.

[chrisp]

Let's see how a broad minded nobleman like you would feel about the Guy Fawkes Night being moved to Los Angeles and the Wimbledon being moved to San Francisco.

That's the most stupid comparison possible.

Guy fawkes night is a local tradition that stems from local history. If americans want to celebrate it that's fine with me, doesn't stop us from doing likewise. Not that I or anyone else either knows or cares about the true meaning of the 5th November anymore...its just an excuse to let off fireworks.

Wimbledon is one of the four grand slam tennis events alongside other like...oh yes, the US OPEN which is also a major Tennis event, so in effect you DO already have your own wimbledon.

If Wimbledon was moved to the states i would be p***ed off that we no longer had a local major tennis event. Just as I am currently p***ed off that we don't have a major local NFL event (or didn't untill now)...so what is your point exactly?

In fact, your examples show exactly how limited and narrow-minded your thinking is. You see international NFL events as a case of your beloved sport moving AWAY. I see it as a case of OUR beloved sport EXPANDING to encompass more of the world.

Football (or 'soccer' as you call it) benefits immensely from being a truly international sport.

The success of this international game may well lead to one of two things (or both):

and NFL expansion franchise outside of the US

and/or

The superbowl being played outside of the US

Now, to be fair, I can see how the latter might be a little upsetting to some americans, but I find it very hard to see how any fan could object to the former.

Travel for the players would be an issue, but not an insurmountable one I feel, and whilst players may not like the idea, we haven't heard any of them publicly complaining as yet.

Also, no-one can rightly say what the consequences of this game are going to be: the examples above are only two possibilities, and both very far away if they are going to happen at all..I certainly don't think that the NFL is going to make any hasty snap decisions about how this thing goes forward, if indeed it does....

Bottom line is, nothing is without its pitfalls and downsides, but progress and expansion is a positive thing in my book, and worth persuing

[UKBronco]

Just a little more info as to why it was 'only 40,000 in 90 mins'.

If they had all gone on general sale, they would have sold out in an hour.

You had to pre-register your interest for the game, and you had to declare how many tickets you wanted and what price range.

Then a few months later, after a lottery draw, the select few who received a letter with a password got to purchase the tickets in a pre-sale thingy on TicketShafter. I say that because the tickets I would have payed were going to be £68 ($135) with an additional £5.80 ($11) charge per ticket - now if you declared your interest in 4 tickets at the cheap price range (£35/$70) then it wouldn't be too bad, but I couldn't get the cheap price range and only the £68 ones.

Don't get me wrong, if this was the Broncos - I'd have snapped their hands off, but i've no interest in paying that much for tickets to a game i've no real interest in watching - sure it'll be a great day, but for someone not blessed with idle money in their pockets - it's a big deal.

Instead, i'll do what I do every other Sunday - watch the Premiership afternoon games, and then tune in at 6pm to watch an NFL double header on Sky Sports and then the SNF game on Five.

[Scottish_Bronco]

Fact is, there is a market outside the US for football and the NFL is rightfully exploiting. This game will generate so much interest here that football will have so many new fans this side of the atlantic. The only losers in all this is the Miami season ticket holders. But i would expect they're 2007 season ticket will be a little cheaper to compensate losing a home game. But i've heard there is a lot of interest in the US from Dolphins fans and even Giants fans. There was an article on NFL.com stating up to 10,000 could be making the trip over. The number may be exaggerated but shows it isn't a bad idea.

Sure the Giants vs Dolphins has little interest to me, but how many times does a NFL regular season game come this close to home for us guys. I paid my dues last season with my long haul trip to Denver. But that was totally worth it. So for guys like us we can't thank the NFL enough.

So anyone on here get a ticket? I was lucky enough, i'm sitting in section 510.
It would be really cool for all the UK broncos fans to hook up!

[Hogan11]

Dont be retarded.

IF they go ahead with this policy, they will expand the season to 17 games so all teams play 1 neutral game site. No owner is going to lose the home game revenue, not even the ****ty Cardinals.

No, but season ticket holders, by buying their tickets, will essentially be shorted one home game and somehow I have a hard time believing that the NFL will reduce the fare for them to compensate that loss.

[Hogan11]

Travel for the players would be an issue, but not an insurmountable one I feel, and whilst players may not like the idea, we haven't heard any of them publicly complaining as yet.

Someone, somewhere will complain about it and maybe even refuse to go....it's inevitable. The chances of getting everyone involved on board with this is virtually nill.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Serious question:

Will there be any visa issues with some of the players who have issues?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Serious question:
Will there be any visa issues with some of the players who have issues?Not a problem. We have extra guys on the roster who can take anyone's place who may be denied a passport or on the DHS sh*t list or on any foreign countries sh*t list.

I'm sure as powerful as the NFL is there is no "list" that they have to worry about.

[Atwater His Ass]

We have Pre-Season games in Europe already. 31 of them to be exact and it's called NFL Europa.

Problem being we want to see real stars in the flesh and why shouldn't we be able to without having to fork out thousands of pounds on flights and accomodation in the US if there is a market to bring said games here??? Our £ is just as good as your $ in the NFL's eyes.

Plus Alec is spot on. The proposed move to a 17 game season means that each team will have one game per year at a neutral venue.

How the hell does that water down the NFL???

A 17 game schedule is stupid from a league/competition standpoint. It only makes sense from a financial standpoint.

I'm also talking about NFL pre-season games, not NFL Europa. I have zero problem with shipping NFL pre-season games to any location worldwide.

The water down argument is that, like I've already stated, I see the long term goal of all of this is to eventually field foreign teams. The only way to do this is to expand or relocated current teams. Both are terrible ideas from a competition standpoint.

At the end, this is all about money. It's not even about bringing football overseas for you to see. It's about the best and biggest way to seperate you from you money. It's an awful move for the league.

[Beantown Bronco]

By definition....the NFL stands for National Football League, not International Football League. If it ever got to the point of adding foreign teams, they have to change the name of the league itself.....not to mention the logo and everything else.

[Rock Chalk]

No, but season ticket holders, by buying their tickets, will essentially be shorted one home game and somehow I have a hard time believing that the NFL will reduce the fare for them to compensate that loss.

I said dont be retarded Hogan.

17 game season.

1 neutral game
+ 8 Home games
+ 8 away games
=17 games.

So where would exactly the loss of the "home" game come from? The extra game does not gaurantee anyone an extra home game and IF they decide to go ahead with this transcontinental regular season playing of games, they WILL make the season 17 games long, reduce the preseason to 3 games and all the problems are solved.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I said dont be retarded Hogan.
17 game season.
1 neutral game
+ 8 Home games
+ 8 away games
=17 games.
So where would exactly the loss of the "home" game come from? The extra game does not gaurantee anyone an extra home game and IF they decide to go ahead with this transcontinental regular season playing of games, they WILL make the season 17 games long, reduce the preseason to 3 games and all the problems are solved.Who says so? And this thread topic is about the Miami game who do indeed lose a home game this year.

[broncocalijohn]

Who says so? And this thread topic is about the Miami game who do indeed lose a home game this year.

Are some of you guys this hard headed? Alec is talking about the future of the schedule , not this year. Yes Miami loses one game but maybe that got a MNF game in return. Who knows. Maybe later a preseason "home" game will be in Orlando and they wont have to pay for it. The 17 game system Alec is talking about doesnt hurt anyone. Players get paid one more game, season ticket holders arent held to own that extra game and cities that dont have football gets to see it first hand. Faider fans are happy as it is one game they dont have to worry about getting blacked out. I swear, you guys do this on purpose just so I have to defend Alec.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Are some of you guys this hard headed? Alec is talking about the future of the schedule , not this year. .Did he get lost again?