Rams to play one game for next three years in London

[Cajuncowboy]

Thank God it's not the Cowboys doing this stupid thing....



LONDON – The St. Louis Rams will play a regular-season NFL game in London in each of the next three seasons, first facing the New England Patriots in 2012.

The NFL said Friday the Rams and Patriots will play on Oct. 28 at Wembley Stadium, the sixth year in a row the league will play regular-season games in the British capital.

"We are confident that having the Rams host one game in the UK in each of the next three seasons will allow us to better serve the growing popularity of our sport beyond the borders of the United States," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/01/20/rams-to-play-nfl-games-in-london-for-next-3-years-615439862/#ixzz1k0oD29zN



http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/01/20/rams-to-play-nfl-games-in-london-for-next-3-years-615439862/

[casmith07]

With NO due respect, **** you, Goodell.

[StylisticS]

I can't imagine Rams fans being happy with this.

[Yeagermeister]

Just as long as we aren't playing them it's cool with me

[burmafrd]

The owners are driving all this; they have this fantasy that somehow American Football becomes popular in Europe. Why they think so is a mystery to me.

How many times have they tried and come up empty over there?

And the fact is that no team could be based there- the travel problems would be insane.

Only if you had a whole division there would it even be remotely possible and even then it would be nuts.


This is by far the dumbest thing the NFL has ever done.

[UKCowboysFan]

The owners are driving all this; they have this fantasy that somehow American Football becomes popular in Europe. Why they think so is a mystery to me.

How many times have they tried and come up empty over there?

And the fact is that no team could be based there- the travel problems would be insane.

Only if you had a whole division there would it even be remotely possible and even then it would be nuts.


This is by far the dumbest thing the NFL has ever done.


Obviously I have a slightly different view, for equally selfish reasons.

Below is a list of Buccaneers home games for last season & the attendance figures.

11/09/2011 51,274 Lions
25/09/2011 46,995 Falcons
03/10/2011 63,972 Colts
16/10/2011 56,590 Saints
23/10/2011 76,981 Bears
13/11/2011 56,037 Texans
04/12/2011 56,270 Panthers
17/12/2011 65,162 Cowboys

Might suggest that playing games in London is not the flop that you think it is.

Whether or not the idea of a franchise here is a good one is an entirely different matter altogether though.

One of the big problems (outside of the travel issues) that the league would have, is that everyone here that follows the NFL already has a favourite team and are unlikely to switch allegiances to another franchise. It's ok to get people to go to a one off game, as it is a special occasion, but I’m not sure that there would be enough support for eight home games.

As you say this is driven by money. I guess the league see that market growth in the US would be much more difficult than it is overseas. (I'm sure that most people who want to watch Football & buy merchandise already do so).
The rating figures in the UK have gone up significantly since the first International Series game (up by 18% last year).

I'm sure you would all hate it, but I would love to see the Cowboys play at Wembley. :D

[Wolfpack]

Growth in the fans of the sport is the key the NFL has run on for about a full decade. The ever increasing TV money is hard to justify once your growth numbers start to fade.

They will try pretty everything to keep that train going.

[Chocolate Lab]

With NO due respect, **** you, Goodell.

The owners are driving all this; they have this fantasy that somehow American Football becomes popular in Europe. Why they think so is a mystery to me.

How many times have they tried and come up empty over there?

And the fact is that no team could be based there- the travel problems would be insane.

Only if you had a whole division there would it even be remotely possible and even then it would be nuts.


This is by far the dumbest thing the NFL has ever done.
:signmast:

[jnday]

:rolleyes: :lmao2: With NO due respect, **** you, Goodell.

This post is much deeper than it appears .

[Rogah]

Playing these games in London is good for the league overall, but I sure would be pissed if I were a Rams fan right now - and especially if I were a season ticket holder. But since it doesn't affect my team, I don't really care what they do.

However, it should be noted that they aren't exactly taking home games from teams like Pittsburgh, Green Bay or New York who have sold out their stadiums every single game for decades now. They're taking teams who aren't packing the stadiums at home. As another poster in here mention, the Bucs "home game" in London was far and away their biggest attendance.

[Rynie]

So, that means that with how ****ty the Rams are, coupled with ONE LESS game a year, season tickets start at $5?

[BraveHeartFan]

Eh this doesn't bother me.

It's another way for the league to make money and in case there are people who are still unaware of this that's the bottom line to the league and for the league, making money.

As it should be.

[burmafrd]

Obviously I have a slightly different view, for equally selfish reasons.

Below is a list of Buccaneers home games for last season & the attendance figures.

11/09/2011 51,274 Lions
25/09/2011 46,995 Falcons
03/10/2011 63,972 Colts
16/10/2011 56,590 Saints
23/10/2011 76,981 Bears
13/11/2011 56,037 Texans
04/12/2011 56,270 Panthers
17/12/2011 65,162 Cowboys

Might suggest that playing games in London is not the flop that you think it is.

Whether or not the idea of a franchise here is a good one is an entirely different matter altogether though.

One of the big problems (outside of the travel issues) that the league would have, is that everyone here that follows the NFL already has a favourite team and are unlikely to switch allegiances to another franchise. It's ok to get people to go to a one off game, as it is a special occasion, but I’m not sure that there would be enough support for eight home games.

As you say this is driven by money. I guess the league see that market growth in the US would be much more difficult than it is overseas. (I'm sure that most people who want to watch Football & buy merchandise already do so).
The rating figures in the UK have gone up significantly since the first International Series game (up by 18% last year).

I'm sure you would all hate it, but I would love to see the Cowboys play at Wembley. :D


it is their whole stupid agenda that is a joke. Living where you are you must know that is true

[burmafrd]

Eh this doesn't bother me.

It's another way for the league to make money and in case there are people who are still unaware of this that's the bottom line to the league and for the league, making money.

As it should be.

really? And how much money are they really going to make?

This is a one time a year deal and it will never be more than that.

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

This is beyond stupid. As others have said thank God the Boys don't have to do this.

[Dash28]

Just as long as we aren't playing them it's cool with me
Pretty much.

[csirl]

The owners are driving all this; they have this fantasy that somehow American Football becomes popular in Europe. Why they think so is a mystery to me.

How many times have they tried and come up empty over there?

And the fact is that no team could be based there- the travel problems would be insane.

Only if you had a whole division there would it even be remotely possible and even then it would be nuts.


This is by far the dumbest thing the NFL has ever done.

Football is very popular in Europe. There are 1,000s of teams and leagues in over 40 European countries, with some of the bigger teams being full time professional. The sport is growing fast.

The Wembley games get 4 times the number of applications than tickets - they have to hold a lottery to allocate tickets to fans.

Most of the NFLs failures in Europe are due to their lack of understanding of the market or lack of appreciation of how knowledgeable the market was e.g. NFL Europe failed because they put most of the teams in Germany and got out competed by the German Football League (GFL) who attracted bigger crowds.

Pre-season games have also flopped because the days of European fans turning up to see any old football are long gone - they are just as knowledgeable as American fans. Coverage here in Europe is as good as in the US. In my country, we get 5 live NFL games plus 8 live College games per week. We also get some European football, which US people dont see.

[BraveHeartFan]

really? And how much money are they really going to make?

This is a one time a year deal and it will never be more than that.


Maybe so.

I won't speculate on that because I really don't know.

But any money they make is money made. Which is what businesses are in the business of doing.

As long as it's nothing illegal, shady, and all that stuff then I see no problem with people making any money they can.

[dogberry]

The Ram's owner also owns an English premier league team.

And of course Harry Potter has just admitted that he is an American Football fan.

Is Arsenal a London team and will the games be in Kroenke's stadium there?

[csirl]

The Ram's owner also owns an English premier league team.

And of course Harry Potter has just admitted that he is an American Football fan.

Is Arsenal a London team and will the games be in Kroenke's stadium there?

Highbury is Kroenkes stadium - I think its c.60k capacity. But the games will be in Wembley which has 85k capacity for football and is used to hosting games. The playing surface on soccer stadiums tends to be too short - c.100 yds in total, so difficult to get a full length football pitch + 10yd endzones. When NFL Europe played in soccer stadiums, they knocked a few yards off the length of the field - usually 90yds goalline to goalline.

The NFL has been advised by people involved in the sport in Europe that sending the same team over year after year is a bad idea. Fans who have been supporting their favourite teams for years are not going to suddenly become Rams fans. They've been advised that its better to rotate the games among most/all NFL teams as it ensures most fans get to see their favorite team every few years and for variety.

[Heisenberg]

I like the idea.

I'm one of the very few it seems. :D

[UKCowboysFan]

it is their whole stupid agenda that is a joke. Living where you are you must know that is true

I agree that a Franchise being successful in the UK is currently very unlikely.

However, having games here on a regular basis has increased the popularity of the game. If the figures are correct the TV audience in the last 12 months has gone up by 18%.

A number of those new fans will then pick & support a team (just as I did in the 80's) and many will stick with them.

Most of the fans that go to the Wembley game have bought (their favourite) team shirts and other merchandise.

And in all fairness, I believe that is why the league are having games overseas. I really don't believe that they honestly think that a franchise is likely to succeed (not at the moment anyway), it's just another market in which to sell TV rights & merchandise.

If the rumours are correct, it is likely that there will be two games in the UK in the 2013 season (one of which will be the Rams). If both of those games sell 75,000+ I can see that continuing for a few seasons, then maybe they well increase the number.

[Biggems]

I say if they are going to play a neutral site game.....Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Honolulu.....give those 4 places games......basically, keep it in North America if you are set on having international games..........BTW, I know Hawaii isnt international, but it is the same as traveling to London.......and at least we give our own citizens a chance to host a game.

[Biggems]

actually, what would be cool.......if the SB was in Hawaii

[FootballFan1]

Well if the Rams want to play Tampa Bay in London fine. Teams with attendance problems.

I am not too happy about it as a Pats fan because it takes money out of my pocket. Darn. I make money every year off my Pats tickets. And I do not know why Kraft would do it. I have 3 tickets at $165 each (face price) - and make a significant profit every year. And before anyone says anything I live in Florida and have had my tickets for over 30 years.

Are people in London going to pay $165 a seat to watch an NFL game?? And what do the owners get out of this? I cannot believe Kraft is giving up that kind of money unless he is making something out of it.

Bummer for me.

[Sarge]

With NO due respect, **** you, Goodell.

:signmast:

[Rogah]

I am not too happy about it as a Pats fan because it takes money out of my pocket. Darn. I make money every year off my Pats tickets. And I do not know why Kraft would do it. I have 3 tickets at $165 each (face price) - and make a significant profit every year. And before anyone says anything I live in Florida and have had my tickets for over 30 years.I feel bad for season ticket holders who are going to miss a regular season home game. I do not feel bad for scalpers like you who have "one less chance to make money." Call me crazy, but I don't think the NFL should be concerned with your profit margin when making their decisions.

Of course, all this ignores the fact that next year's game is a road game for the Patriots so it won't affect your season package.

[csirl]

Are people in London going to pay $165 a seat to watch an NFL game?? And what do the owners get out of this? I cannot believe Kraft is giving up that kind of money unless he is making something out of it.

Bummer for me.

The ticket prices charged in London are, on average, c.20% higher than those in the US for similar seats. Games are guaranteed sell outs due to the huge fan base.

[FootballFan1]

I feel bad for season ticket holders who are going to miss a regular season home game. I do not feel bad for scalpers like you who have "one less chance to make money." Call me crazy, but I don't think the NFL should be concerned with your profit margin when making their decisions.

Of course, all this ignores the fact that next year's game is a road game for the Patriots so it won't affect your season package.

Duh to me - and wasn't even looking at the schedule.

And to your other point, I have been a season ticket holder for maybe 35 years -- somewhere in that range. I moved a couple times for jobs but never gave up my seats. And I probably didn't miss one game for around 15 years straight when I was younger - when we were bums.

Now I have seats that I can make money on every year -- to NE fans -- I sell to a local agency. Would you give them up?? That would just be stupid. Oh, and they raised the prices again - now they are $185 a seat. Nuts, totally nuts. How many people can afford that kind of money today to go to a football game???

And I have my issues with Kraft and his attitude about the "regular" fans. He rules with an iron fist when it comes to tickets. And the Super Bowl, the regular fans for the most part do not have a chance to get tickets. It never used to be that way before Kraft bought the team. It is all done by lottery -- and there are not that many tickets made available. Me, I don't like it.

And the waiting list is at 60,000 with a renewal rate of 99%. Any chance of anyone seriously thinking of getting season tickets might as wait to give them to their grand kids. Nope, I am NOT giving up my seats. And it also gives me the option to go to games at cost if I am visiting New England - which I do often. And I also have many people in New England that want to buy my tickets every year. Why would I sell at cost when I can make some money every year?? And who would get my tickets if I let them go -- most likely one of Kraft's buddies - considering where they are. Nope, not happening.

I EARNED those seats sitting through some of our prior seasons. Give them up??? Don't think so.

[csirl]

Playing in Europe is something all NFL teams including the 'Boys are going to have to get used to.

The plan is that by the end of this decade all NFL teams will play one game overseas each season. This is provided for in the CBA and the trade off is that they will ditch 2 preseason games add a 17th overseas game and a second bye week to the schedule. [CBA allows the league to go to 18 games with player consent, but I cant see every team playing 2 games overseas]. The NFL has spent the past few months travelling around Europe to open up negotiations and inspect venues in various cities - its expected that c.10 of the 16 overseas games will be in Europe.

The NFL is the same as any other sport - they have to respond to their fan base. With a high percentage of the fan base outside the USA, they have no option but to put games overseas. You have to remember that the fans outside the USA earn the league a lot of revenue through TV rights, merchandise sales etc etc. - money that is used to pay player salaries and other league expenses. The big reason the salary cap has risen a lot in recent years is because the league is getting a lot more money from overseas - with the US economy in recession, they need this money.

[Ren]

I can't imagine Rams fans being happy with this.

i know a couple in the UK who are ecstatic

For everyone else i believe pacman said it best "it's the rams dude" who cares