Prepare For The Bills To Go International Regularly

[BarleyNY]

29 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

The data doesn’t show any regression. The numbers continue to increase. Why worry about, “yeah but what if it starts to plateau and decline?” It’s actually more likely that, “what if it takes off in those countries and the revenues grow exponentially?” 
 

It is a bit of a frustrating conversation for me because it doesn’t make sense. EVERY FOR PROFIT BUSINESS HAS A GOAL OF MAKING AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE. Why some want this business to be different is mind-numbing. If the interest wanes and the money slows, change will happen. Until then, expect continued revenue expansion by going into new markets, new networks, new timeslots, and more games. The DEMAND is there so the NFL owes it to their owners and players to maximize the revenue.

 

You should re-read my post as I agreed with you on the international games and the league/teams maximizing profits (long term, at least). You have your view on the capacity for future expansion, but that’s just your projection. Others are free to have their own views and disagree.

I think it’s a mixed bag. The NFL is certainly going strong, so check. International games are likely helping expats stay connected to the game and may be helping grow viewership a little, but it’s getting crushed by the NBA in that regard.

Nationally, adding time slots and games already may be causing some fatigue. Most fans of the game don’t have to worry about catching every game anymore to get their fill. Missed MNF? Don’t worry, there’s a TNF game now. Crappy games on at 4 pm on Sunday? Go outside. There’s SNF and MNF.

There has been incremental viewership increases by adding time slots, but viewership of regular season games dropped 2.2% in 2024 vs 2023. So they may have already hit a wall in that regard. Also there was slippage in viewership among the younger demographic (16-24). That bears watching too. The NFL is smart to promote flag and 7-on-7 football. Fewer kids are playing tackle and that impacts emotional ties to the game. It not only keeps more young men in the game, it includes young women’s to. So the NFL is a very strong business, but history is full of strong businesses that over-expanded and paid a price for it. There is no certainty to continued expansion. 

[Coach Tuesday]

Amazing how many folks' views are shaped by McDermott's idiotic jet lag planning.

[BillsVet]

48 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

The data doesn’t show any regression. The numbers continue to increase. Why worry about, “yeah but what if it starts to plateau and decline?” It’s actually more likely that, “what if it takes off in those countries and the revenues grow exponentially?” 
 

It is a bit of a frustrating conversation for me because it doesn’t make sense. EVERY FOR PROFIT BUSINESS HAS A GOAL OF MAKING AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE. Why some want this business to be different is mind-numbing. If the interest wanes and the money slows, change will happen. Until then, expect continued revenue expansion by going into new markets, new networks, new timeslots, and more games. The DEMAND is there so the NFL owes it to their owners and players to maximize the revenue.

 

It's funny that people every off-season point to the inevitable salary cap increase without understanding the league growing revenue is mostly what permits this.  Whether that's television, merchandise, whatever...yeah, it's contingent on growing the game.  

 

Continuous improvement seems like a concept lost to some who want things to remain the same.  I get it that losing a home game stinks, but then again, part of that benefit might be the ability to fit another UFA under the cap when the ceiling goes up 5M.  

[Augie]

2 hours ago, Coach Tuesday said:

Amazing how many folks' views are shaped by McDermott's idiotic jet lag planning.

 

That would be a good point if the Jags had not been there a week in advance and already played a game in London. Make it apples to apples and at least that aspect of the game would have been equally difficult. 

 

 

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Edited 13 hours ago by Augie

[corta765]

44 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

That would be a good point if the jag had not been there a week in advance and already played a game in London. Make it apples to apples and at least that aspect of the game would have been equally difficult. 

 

I would also add a lottt of Bills fans probably have some fear just because of the whole Toronto series. Even though the entire league now shares going abroad and sacrificing a game, Bills fans had to live through that in a way different way due to the threat of relocation.

[Kirby Jackson]

17 minutes ago, corta765 said:

 

I would also add a lottt of Bills fans probably have some fear just because of the whole Toronto series. Even though the entire league now shares going abroad and sacrificing a game, Bills fans had to live through that in a way different way due to the threat of relocation.

The weird irony is that relocation was never actually on the table. The terms of the lease had made it basically impossible. The media and fan base had these fears about Bon Jovi or whatever. The reality is that if he purchased the team he was not allowed to move them. There wasn’t an out of the lease like some teams have. That was Ralph’s parting gift that he doesn’t get enough credit for. He and Littman and Brandon had worked to get that done to ensure the Bills wouldn’t/couldn’t leave. I know a little bit about the situation and had put some of it on here at the time. The threat of relocation wasn’t actually real.

Edited 14 hours ago by Kirby Jackson

[IronyAbounds]

Look for the Bills to open up Trump Gaza Stadium in 2027 😡

 

I can't tell you how much I hate these international games. All just to line the billionaires pockets.

[Whites Bay]

15 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Maybe by 2040 there is a leap in air travel that can halve the travel times ….its still a big ask even if that was the case …

This is an interesting point.

 

Boom Technology successfully flight tested their XB-1 "Baby Boom" aircraft about 2 weeks ago, reaching Mach 1.1.  Yes, it's a long way from a flight test to settling into an aisle seat, but if there's any group that could afford premium seating on a supersonic aircraft, it's a professional football team.  A million years ago, I was blessed to be able to fly the Concorde from JFK to CDG on business.  3:45 wheels up to wheels down.  Something like that could make the entire concept workable.  No worse than flying from BUF - DEN.

 

Alternatively, they could consider daytime flights (and maybe they already do this).  I used to fly from JFK to LHR leaving about 9:30 AM, arriving about 10:30 PM.  15 minutes later you're asleep in an airport hotel.  MUCH easier on the jet lag.  I don't know if these flights still exist; this was about 20 years ago.

 

But Australia?  Woof.  No getting around that one.  Flying over the Pacific makes flying to Europe look pretty tame.

[SoMAn]

Gaza.  Build that beachfront stadium ! 

[corta765]

57 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

The weird irony is that relocation was never actually on the table. The terms of the lease had made it basically impossible. The media and fan base had these fears about Bon Jovi or whatever. The reality is that if he purchased the team he was not allowed to move them. There wasn’t an out of the lease like some teams have. That was Ralph’s parting gift that he doesn’t get enough credit for. He and Littman and Brandon had worked to get that done to ensure the Bills wouldn’t/couldn’t leave. I know a little bit about the situation and had put some of it on here at the time. The threat of relocation wasn’t actually real.

 

I get you and as a Sabre fan I remember when people were nervous in the early 2000s about moving but the league wouldn't let it happen.

 

Regardless people still will have their fears which I get.

 

Internationally I am indifferent other then just improve the playing surface.

[ProcessTruster]

If somehow the NFL can get the foreign country playing surfaces conform to NFL standards (they don't currently), I am fine with it.   

 

Travel outside the US is fun.  

Edited 11 hours ago by ProcessTruster

[eee1776]

3 hours ago, IronyAbounds said:

Look for the Bills to open up Trump Gaza Stadium in 2027 😡

 

I can't tell you how much I hate these international games. All just to line the billionaires pockets.

Please don't give him any ideas This might go on until something tragic happens overseas. or we lose a whole team in an air incident. T

Edited 10 hours ago by eee1776
repeated lines

[buffalostu2]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:30 PM, corta765 said:

Corta here and it has been a bit since I have chimed in schedule wise but this most recent news has my attention even more attune to the NFL globally.

 

The NFL today announced that the Rams will be going to Australia in 2026 as the designated home team. For those at home wondering LA to Australia is a 15 hour flight alone. This is the continuation of the NFL driving a larger international effort for teams over the last few years. In 2025 the following countries will be hosting games with these home teams:

 

4x England: Jags 2x, Jets, Browns 

Germany: Colts

Madrid: Miami

Rumored: Brazil with Chargers hosting

In total the NFL could have 7 games abroad in 2025 which potentially could pit up to 15 teams abroad which is nearly half the league. The NFL has not been shy recently about wanting more games abroad and having the entire league abroad with relative regularity. When the 17th game was added many looked at it as a way for the NFL to add more international games because a team with 9 home games who loses one abroad still has 8 games which means the owners get a regular season with of revenue there. Much like the Bills in 2023 when they had 9 home games but the Jags in England was technically home. If the NFL were to go to 18 games the talk has been that every team would be going abroad once as the additional games allow it to be easier for teams (OWNERS) to not lose revenue while the league maxes it presence.

 

With the potential for 15 teams abroad in 2025 if you are not a fan of the Bills going abroad even as the away team I would start prepping yourself. The days are numbered before the Bills are gone once a year to some other country. My only hope is maybe it isn't to England given our luck there.

13 from LA in my experience.  Worth it

[Warriorspikes51]

I hope the NFL PA puts an END to this nonsense

 

this is an American Sports League

 

All games should be played here

[Augie]

4 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

I hope the NFL PA puts an END to this nonsense

 

this is an American Sports League

 

All games should be played here

 

At the VERY least, the NFLPA should clamp down on ***ty turf.  I admit I don’t love the international stuff, but I do “get it.”  Lowering the standards for player safety is inexcusable. 

 

You don’t settle for the field they offer, you dictate. 

 

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Edited 10 hours ago by Augie

[Cash]

10 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

Home game in Gaza by 20230. 😁

This is funnier if the year is not a typo. Hopefully by then the Bills aren’t owned by the Harkonnens. 

[NoHuddleKelly12]

On 2/5/2025 at 5:20 PM, Lost said:

Bills home game in Russia 2027