The NFL in London (and why it's such a damned good idea)

by user Blocking Back

I’ve read a few articles/blog posts on-line recently that have viewed the NFL’s soiree to London in a negative light. I have to say, I can’t understand why at all.

The NFL is already HUGE in Britain with several million tuning in to watch it. The fans in the U.K. have been begging for years and years for a regular season game.

The Miami Dolphins have been chosen because they have more support in Britain then any other team, don’t ask me why; maybe it has something to do with Florida being a favorite holiday destination, I don’t know. The Dolphins won’t be lsoing a home game at all, the stadium will be packed out with ecstatic Phin fans!

I just don’t buy the argument that it won’t do the teams that come over any good. We already know that they will both receive bye weeks and I mean, people fly from London to New York and back in two days all the time, especially for the Christmas shopping season.

There is no language barrier and the U.K. is a potential gold mine for the NFL. British people love the sport and enjoy the chance to get closer to anything that their friends across the Atlantic enjoy. How can this be a bad thing?

Am I missing something here?

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ChristofMVP

1052 days ago

Score 3

Tell that to the season ticket holders who will be losing a home game because of this. Tell this to the two teams who will be hit hard because of jet-lag in the games that follow this game.

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JuTMSY4Legend

1052 days ago

Score 1

Jet Lag w/ a week off...not an issue...losing a home game is...

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1051 days ago

Score 1

Let lag isn't that big of a deal. Especially since they're both East Coast teams.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1052 days ago

Score 1

As a season ticket holder to a several different teams in various sports, I know I would be furious I was told I am losing a home game that I paid for. Especially a football game when I only have 8 chances to see my team in tehir home stadium

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1052 days ago

Score 4

"Love" is a bit far, but certainly it is well watched over here. The NFL Playoffs even had a bidding war. Millions stay up to 3:30am every year to watch the Super Bowl. It is just a shame we have to cope with commentators that explain the game to us as though we are five, and have no idea what is going on.

I don't see what the point of hosting an NFL Game in London. I think if it were the All-Star game, it would be much better, since then you are guaranteed to see the best players play - more people will be interested.

Time difference is an issue for the teams. On Sunday it would have no real competition. Sunday night is sport free, so the latest it would start is about 4pm GMT. Which is about 11AM ET. If it started at 12/1PM, it would be over by the time someone in LA has woken up...

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ThecrookedcapAll-Star

1052 days ago

Score 2

Your football coverage is like our futbol coverage: incredibly dumbed down. But more to the point: I would hope for some serious compensation if I was a Giants season ticket holder. After all, I would have spent hundreds of dollars and years on the waiting list to get my ticket. And by the way, you don't want the Pro Bowl anyway. Nobody cares and nobody would play since it's not a free trip to Hawaii (the lure of England in February doesn't really exist).

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1052 days ago

Score 0

That's a good point... Perhaps they can offer a 1/8 refund?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1052 days ago

Score 0

The same announcers work our game as well. Thankfully, I'm always at a loud party

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1051 days ago

Score 0

Yeah, but who loses the home game, miami or ny?

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JB82Div-I Stud

1051 days ago

Score 0

I read that BBC Radio Five Live provides radio coverage of the Super Bowl. Proof in the pudding for the uninitiated...

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1052 days ago

Score 1

Just think somewhere in the stands may be a kid who thinks to himself, "This is way better than football" then goes on his way to becoming the next great British punter!!!

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1051 days ago

Score 2

Most American Football fans in Britain already think that it is way better than football. Britain would already have great K/P if they could be bothered to play in the US. In 2005, the Miami Dolphins wanted the Irish Rugby Fly Half, Ronan O'Gara to be their goalkicker, but he declined, preferring international rugby.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1051 days ago

Score 1

Aren't bettors (gamblers) referred to as 'punters'in Britain? So they'd see an NFL game and go on to be the next great gambler. It actually could happen....

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

1051 days ago

Score 1

why would you pay for a game you didn't see? wouldn't they refund you the cost of the ticket? even if you have season tickets, there is a cost per ticket? i'm sure you will be compensated. and the reason they are doing it is the same reason mlb did the world baseball classic- it's GOOD FOR THE SPORT. not too hard to figure out.

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Blocking BackWaterboy

1050 days ago

Score 0

I'm glad to see this has sparked a decent debate. I think everyone would agree (some grudgingly!) that this good for the sport. There is something to be said for a fan losing a home game, but seeing as how the Dolphin's 2007 season tickets have not yet gone on sale (although you can put down a deposit on them)I don't think its too big an issue.

Lets not forget that there are 100% diehard fans all over the world who never get a chance to see their team up close. This plan will give them that 'chance in a lifetime' to see their team play and I think that makes the whole idea worth it.

Thanks for the comments guys, don't forget to check out the sportsblog:

http://www.s...ordpress.com

Remember, all 32 NFL teams have signed up to host one of their home games overseas. In 2007 there will be one overseas game but this will rise to two a year from 2008. It should work out to be a fair system really.

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