LabattBlue Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 I read recently that the NFL is losing millions of dollars on NFL Europe each year and the last time there was an owners vote to keep it running, it survived by one vote. My question is, why not move the league to the US? I have to believe it would be supported just as much and hopefully the operational costs would be less. I would like to see it survive as there is no alternative in terms of a developmental league unless you want to consider the CFL.
CoachChuckDickerson Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 I read recently that the NFL is losing millions of dollars on NFL Europe each year and the last time there was an owners vote to keep it running, it survived by one vote. My question is, why not move the league to the US? I have to believe it would be supported just as much and hopefully the operational costs would be less. I would like to see it survive as there is no alternative in terms of a developmental league unless you want to consider the CFL. 295467[/snapback] They did have teams here when they first started up the league, they were called the World League back then. Failed miderably. US Teams: Birmingham Fire New York/New Jersey Knights Ohio Glory [Columbus] Orlando Thunder Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks Sacramento Surge San Antonio Riders Canada: Montreal Machine Europe: Barcelona Dragons Frankfurt Galaxy London Monarchs
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 They did have teams here when they first started up the league, they were called the World League back then. Failed miderably. US Teams: Birmingham Fire New York/New Jersey Knights Ohio Glory [Columbus] Orlando Thunder Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks Sacramento Surge San Antonio Riders Canada: Montreal Machine Europe: Barcelona Dragons Frankfurt Galaxy London Monarchs 295492[/snapback] IIRC, that was before the NFL took ownership of it.
/dev/null Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 IIRC, that was before the NFL took ownership of it. 295493[/snapback] the nfl has always owned WLAF/NFLE
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 the nfl has always owned WLAF/NFLE 295497[/snapback] Not so sure about that. You may want to check, I'm too lazy.
PromoTheRobot Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 I have to believe if you put teams in places like Buffalo, they would be very successful, especially if the carried their NFL teams logos. On the other hand, NFLE does quite well in Germany and Holland, cultivating interest in the game. There is a long-range interest in expanding your fan base that I can accept. Would there even be a Constantin Ritzmann if there were no NFLE? PTR
/dev/null Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 Not so sure about that. You may want to check, I'm too lazy. 295498[/snapback] from the Scottish Claymores website http://touchdownclaymores.com/tdc/nflelhistory.php 18 April 1989 Tex Schramm leaves the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL to become the founding President and Chief Executive of the World League of American Football. A committee is started to work out if the WLAF is a feasible idea 1 July 1989 NFL owners unamimously vote to start the league on an international basis in early 1991
CoachChuckDickerson Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 IIRC, that was before the NFL took ownership of it. 295493[/snapback] True but its still technically the same thing. NFL still had an ownership stake in the beginning. They just took over the whole thing after a couple of years later as it was about to go belly up and moved everything to Europe. People in the States just don't care about amateur-pro football. People in Europe don't either but thats another arguement.
SF Bills Fan Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 I have to believe if you put teams in places like Buffalo, they would be very successful, especially if the carried their NFL teams logos. On the other hand, NFLE does quite well in Germany and Holland, cultivating interest in the game. There is a long-range interest in expanding your fan base that I can accept. Would there even be a Constantin Ritzmann if there were no NFLE? PTR 295499[/snapback] The German teams all draw well, from what I understand. It's the only real receptive market for the NFL in Europe.
CoachChuckDickerson Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 I have to believe if you put teams in places like Buffalo, they would be very successful, especially if the carried their NFL teams logos. On the other hand, NFLE does quite well in Germany and Holland, cultivating interest in the game. There is a long-range interest in expanding your fan base that I can accept. Would there even be a Constantin Ritzmann if there were no NFLE? PTR 295499[/snapback] Why isn't there an arena league team in Buffalo anymore if people would support offseason football?
PromoTheRobot Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 The German teams all draw well, from what I understand. It's the only real receptive market for the NFL in Europe. 295502[/snapback] Germans "get it." Not like the rest of Europe with their soccer and bike racing. There is no need to translate "blitz" to a german. PTR
PromoTheRobot Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 Why isn't there an arena league team in Buffalo anymore if people would support offseason football? 295506[/snapback] 1) Arena Football sucks 2) The Destroyers were the worst team in the league 3) did I mention Arena Football sucks? PTR
CoachChuckDickerson Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 1) Arena Football sucks2) The Destroyers were the worst team in the league 3) did I mention Arena Football sucks? PTR 295510[/snapback] Amateur football sucks period. A prime example of this is the XFL. It could not have been marketed any better than it was. Pure genious. They hit their target market square on the head. The fact of the matter is the product on the field was subpar and it shows. People don't want to watch garbage ball.
/dev/null Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 Germans "get it." Not like the rest of Europe with their soccer and bike racing. There is no need to translate "blitz" to a german. PTR 295509[/snapback] good point but i think the brits understand american football, it's just they already have rugby so they don't care much for that panzy american version with pads and helmets and the french, well you know
stuckincincy Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 I read recently that the NFL is losing millions of dollars on NFL Europe each year and the last time there was an owners vote to keep it running, it survived by one vote. My question is, why not move the league to the US? I have to believe it would be supported just as much and hopefully the operational costs would be less. I would like to see it survive as there is no alternative in terms of a developmental league unless you want to consider the CFL. 295467[/snapback] Losses offset profits and are routinely falsified to diddle with the taxable bottom line.
LabattBlue Posted April 4, 2005 Author Posted April 4, 2005 Losses offset profits and are routinely falsified to diddle with the taxable bottom line. 295529[/snapback] They can "diddle" around all they want, but one more "no" vote by the owners and NFL Europe would have been history.
/dev/null Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 Amateur football sucks period. A prime example of this is the XFL. It could not have been marketed any better than it was. Pure genious. They hit their target market square on the head. The fact of the matter is the product on the field was subpar and it shows. People don't want to watch garbage ball. 295519[/snapback] i disagree, the XFL could have been marketed better. their fatal mistake was starting the season the week after the Super Bowl. If they had waited until a week or 2 before the NFL draft, the XFL would have been a huge success. Look how America goes nuts over a lottery on espn in april. Just imagine how football starved America would react to actual football A short summer league with decent talent, and no gimmicks, could succeed
Beerball Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 I read recently that the NFL is losing millions of dollars on NFL Europe each year and the last time there was an owners vote to keep it running, it survived by one vote. My question is, why not move the league to the US? I have to believe it would be supported just as much and hopefully the operational costs would be less. I would like to see it survive as there is no alternative in terms of a developmental league unless you want to consider the CFL. 295467[/snapback] Apparently Berlin is resisting becomming part of the USA. You actually have a very good idea. Second tier cities would love to have some football to go along with AAA baseball this time of year. If the teams were regionalized so much the better. If you play for the Bills, Steelers Browns or Bengals you go to this team. Pats, Jests, Gints, Philly you play here...That way the players from your team are playing in a central location (the Fla teams could play for Havana!)...easy for a fan to see the future players. I like it.
KRC Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 i disagree, the XFL could have been marketed better. their fatal mistake was starting the season the week after the Super Bowl. If they had waited until a week or 2 before the NFL draft, the XFL would have been a huge success. Look how America goes nuts over a lottery on espn in april. Just imagine how football starved America would react to actual football A short summer league with decent talent, and no gimmicks, could succeed 295535[/snapback] I agree with some of the points you are making. You need to wait for people to be starved of football before you start another league. You also want to have the season end about a month before training camp ends. Also, the gimmick thingy cost them, IMO (which you mentioned). They tried to add too much crap to the game in order to make it different. All they needed to do was tweek things a little. Different camera angles were nice but the rule changes were too much. I understand the rationale behind it in trying to appeal to the WWE crowd, but they alienated the hardcore football people in the process. I still do not think another league will work, but at least they could have had a better chance.
stuckincincy Posted April 4, 2005 Posted April 4, 2005 They can "diddle" around all they want, but one more "no" vote by the owners and NFL Europe would have been history. 295531[/snapback] True.
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