http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9752443 Over the next 16 years all teams will play 2 games in other countries, once as the home team and once as the away team. Under the format teams lose 1 home game every 16 years. Starting next year two games a season will be played in either Canada, Mexico or Europe. I am sure eventually they will expand and try and add other places like Japan, Australia and China. Teams will have their bye after the game to adjust for time zone differences (if the game is in Europe). Its not a bad idea, I wouldnt mind going to an away game in London or Berlin to see the jets. I am sure they wont move division games. Thoughts?
As an American, I don't really like the move. It's going to affect the 2-4 teams that have to travel during the regular season. I know they are going to try to give them bye weeks afterwards, but it seems like a lot to go through. There are certainly fans of the NFL worldwide, but I'm not sure if it is a Worlwide sport yet. I guess this is how to find out. I'm rambling. I don't like it, and don't really have a reason why...
It just gets worse and worse as an NFL fan. First they move the start of the season to the week after Labor Day then they schedule night games in Dec and January for cold weather teasm, have night playoff games, move the SB back to Feb, flexible scheudling. It's bad enough we are ripped off by high prices and having to pay full price for Exhibition games and now we will lose a home game overseas? When will they be satisfied w/ the ridiculous amount of money they make? When will they stop screwing loyal fans? I have been to every home game since 1990 and I will be seriously considering ending that soon b/c of the reasons above and b/c they are rumored to move start times back to 2 and 6 for Sunday games. if they do that i'm done.
If they go to Australia I will be giving everything I have to go and see them. It would be in Sydney so an expensive flight but in every way worth it.
I started a thread about this in the NFL forum and agree it is a bad idea. I guess the NFL doesn't think home field advantange is as big a deal as most people in the other thread do. Bottom line, it's all about GREED....
I would go to see any NFL game in London, but I can understand how American fans might not like the idea. I doubt the teams will be thrilled either. I remember Tony Dorsett referring to the American Bowl in London in 1986 as 'a pain in the butt'.
i think it isn't a bad idea, it just sucks for the teams who actually have to play the games, and it would suck to lose a home game.
Moving games back to 2 and 6 is stupid, but there has to be a better way for fans to see more games. Maybe games at 12, 3, and 6? Or they could stagger the games, so start times are 5 minutes apart, so fans could see the ends of more games.
It does suck that you have to pay full price for a pre season game and now they want to take one of the real games overseas. How much do you want to bet that the Dolphins "at" a cold weather team will be played in some sunny climate overseas?
i think it is great for football. like baseball, hockey and the nba, there are so many superior players that are from other ethnic backgrounds and might i say the people from other parts of the world are just as passionate about the nfl as we are. like our aussie punter, i'am sure his family would love the jets to play in his homeland.
Thumbs Down First of all, the NFL isn't like the NBA where the rosters are 40% filled with non American players. NFL isn't a world sport yet. Might never be. Second, each game is so important in a 16 games season. I don't want the Jets losing an important home game, travelling God knows how many miles, and having others things on their minds besides football. What about American fans? Hasn't the NFL dicked us around enough in the name of the almighty televsion $?
Interestingly the East Coast teams are nearest Europe (just 5 hour difference to London) and the NFC East faces the AFC East next year. Also interestingly the Dolphins and Redskins are perceived to be the most popular teams in the UK...
Most non-Americans that I talk to have no use for the NFL and have a bug up their ass because we call it football. They don't even know the first thing about it. Ever see the crowds at NFL Europe games? Looks like the Florida Marlins are playing, all the empty seats.
If they did that there would be mutiny. People storming the NFL offices, dogs and cats living together, etc.
i am sure the countless american military personal all over the world would love to see there team play. football may not have hit the world stage yet but believe me who does'nt want to see two 300 lb lineman crushing a 180 lb qb?
