The NFL is one of the largest corporations in the United States to this date. Football has been around a long time in the US and continues to draw fans and copious amounts of money. The NFL is making a big mistake by considering the move to London. Yes, it would create a new revenue source, but do they really need that? The answer is no, absolutely not. I do agree it would be pretty incredible to watch an NFL game over seas, but I couldn’t see anyone making the trip to go see them eight times over the season. The article stated that most people at the football game in London weren't even from London, they were from surrounding countries. A full time NFL team would not translate well into Europe one bit.
Not only do the fans face problems, but the players take a hit too. Players hate to travel cross country for games let alone over seas to another country. Jet lag and the time change will not only physically give the players a disadvantage, but a mental one as well. If the players spend all their time traveling they’ll have no time to practice, which gives them an even greater disadvantage. Also, who would want to sign a contract with a London team? It is extremely expensive to live there, but there are some solutions to these problems.
To even the playing fields, the NFL would give the London team 30 million more dollars a year to be used for draft. This would give players a larger contract and more incentive to play and live in London. Also, the London team could have an American base for training when they aren’t playing home games. Yeah, these are great ideas on paper, but in reality this will only cause more problems. If the London team is getting more money than the American teams than there will be complaints off the wall. There is no way American teams would allow a London NFL team to have 30 million more dollars per season for draft, it just wouldn’t happen. It’s a cool idea and something “out of the box,” but in reality I don’t think it’s feasible. Also, the NFL is made for America, and personally I’d like to keep it that way.
When you say that the "NFL is made for America," I think that's extremely relevant, but could be expanded. What about the marketing/play/etc of the NFL makes it inherently American? And who's to say that the efficacy of those marketing strategies wouldn't work overseas? Or does this instead boil down to an issue of culture and national pride?
ReplyDeleteEmily Connelly
Could a parallel institution be created in the UK or Europe in general? Perhaps finish the season with an "international super bowl" every year? - Prof Withycombe
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