Hmm not really surprising I don't think. Soccer will always thrive during economic hard times , how much does it cost to put on a game of soccer to a game football ? For base fans its easy to play a game as well , jerseys for goal posts and a ball , simple. If the NFL really wants to expand its fan bases abroad and attract new players from outside the US , then give us what we crave , TV season tickets.
Nobody cares about MLS, the WNBA gets better ratings. I understand how the WNBA survuves(b/c the NBA supports it) but I don't know how MLS survives. It is never talked about except by ESPN trying to promote it but it still doesn't lead to ratings. I get that in some Cities it is somewhat popular but not around here. As far as the SB, this doen't affect any of us who wouldn't normally go to the game. The SB is not a football game- it is a concert and commercials that gets interrupted by football from time to time. I don't care where they play it.
I think you missed my point... I don't care about MLS, I don't waste my time iwth watered down soccer. The point I was making was that guys like Clint Dempsey and Brian McBride probably would not have gotten contracts to play in Europe without it. No the SB doesn't get attended by the average fan but how many Steeler fans made the trek to Tampa to watch the game in a bar near the stadium? How many Giant fans found themselves in Phoenix for the game 2 years ago? I've made the pledge that if the Jets ever made it I am going regardless of the cost but if it's in London I may have to back off that pledge. The SB is American...regardless of it's become a money grab it does not belong on anything other then American soil....
I'm w/ you, I had my tickets ready for Jan. '99 to go to Miami and if the Jets make it I will do all I can to go. The game being in london wouldn't change that, I went to London when I was a kid and would love to go back some day so see all the sights I didn't appreciate as an 8 year old. I could use that time if the Jets made it to do that. I'd certainly rather spend a week in London than Detroit.
Playing the SB in London would be wierd. It should be in the US (imho), it is such an American event. The other comments made about a London based franchise are equally true. I'd certainly go and watch, but I'm a Jets fan, and only a Jets fan. A franchise in the city of my birth would not change this...when the London Pride (yeah, I'd name the franchise after a beer) play the Jets, I'd be there in Green and White. Oh and as for soccer fans making noise even when their team is losing, yeah only to tell them to piss off for being bloody useless.
No way should they even talk about playing the SB over seas. One of the more stupid things I've heard in regards to the nfl.
London Super Bowl in 2014, 2015 or 2017 The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the Super Bowl will be held in London in 2015, 2014 or 2017, and that the city will be guaranteed a Bowl, rather than having to compete with other cities. Full story Booo!
God Goodell is a dickhead. This is an American Sport. The Europeans dont care about it. It would be like holding the World Cup in Washington D.C. Americans couldnt care less for the most part, and the Europeans would be outraged. Would not be surprised if either the game didnt sell out, or was played at some ungodly hour over there so it could be normal over here. I believe correct me if I am wrong, but London is at least 3 hours ahead of the East Coast, so the game wouldnt even start until 10 pm or later, so that it could start at primetime on the East Coast. Also not ideal either.
I clicked on the link and my Mac won't connect to the site. I don't see anything announced on NFL.com tho. I'd like to think this would be pretty big news if it is confirmed, so, until it does I consider the Super Bowl to be played in the States.
This is from a beat writer in the UK who started out cutting his football teeth at the grass roots of the sport.
Just imagine if they had the EPL finals in NYC...Or the UEFA cup in LA...Europe and the UK would riot.
Webbo is a legend. I used to work with him. I think he's overreacting about the damage possible by failing to get the Super Bowl after making such a fuss. I think the UK's non-football fans wouldn't be interested and football fans would understand. No harm done. Other than that, he puts Oliver Brown very firmly in his place.
