The Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants will be traveling overseas this week, and no it’s not for a vacation. The two teams are matching up against one another just like they normally would do every season, but this year they are matching up against each other in a different country. They will be playing at Wembley Stadium in London, England. It will be the first NFL regular season game that has been played outside the continent of North America. The Miami Dolphins owner, Wayne Hiuzenga, stated that the Dolphins organization is proud to be apart of this historical event. He also explained that it was important for the NFL to expand on a global basis and this game will help provide that. The objective for this game in London is to make the NFL stronger around the world. Jonathan Tisch, the Giants co owner, described this game as groundbreaking. Tisch also added that the NFL is always trying to gain that extra step or go that extra mile to create more opportunities knowing that the product of the league is very important on a global standpoint nowadays. Giants Q.B. Eli Manning commented on the game by stating it's important for the NFL to try and expand the game of football around the world. (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2752272) This article shows how the NFL will benefit from world wide exposure of playing a contest in a continent outside of North America. Players such as Eli Manning feel that it is an exciting opportunity to play overseas. Others such as Dolphin’s owner Wayne Huizenga are very excited about his team’s upcoming game because it will give the NFL a chance to become more popular around the world. I personally believe that this game is a genius idea because it will help the NFL get world wide exposure, which could lead to an increasing amount of fans and viewers around the globe. It is important for American professional leagues to broaden their horizons and increase their popularity by trying to appeal to new and different audiences. When an NFL team wins the Super Bowl they are called world champions, so it is only fitting to display the league’s games and talent around the world.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Matt - I liked reading this blog. It's cool how this is going to the first game outside of North America and the reasoning behind it. I think it's a great idea to promote football across the world. There’s talk in the NBA of making teams in Europe and since there are already teams in Europe maybe they will join the league eventually. This could possibly be a showing of what the National Football League has to offer and see if Europe wants to add some teams. I also feel that Miami and New York will play real heard because the winner will be the first team to win. History is in the making!
Demosky- I also agree with you in that this game will be "groundbreaking." I mean when you think about it what is better then more exposure for our NFL teams and players. I love the idea of going to other countries and showing them "real" american football. Showing them our athletes could have an outbreak of new players in the NFL from different countries. I don't see any downfalls of this idea. Also this possibly could have new teams forming to come into the NFL. Lastly I think we will have real competition from our NFL teams. When you think about it if they go over there and play in London i think they will try harder to be the first team to win in another country. This truely is a great idea.
I agree with you that it is a great idea for the NFL to try and expand the intrest of football worldwide. There are many potential fans all over the world and playing this game outside the U.S. might spark an increased interest in the game of football in foreign countries. Many foreign sports are popular in America, so why shouldn't it be the same for countries around the world? Despite the fact that the game has little meaning and isn't very compelling, an increased worldwide interest in football might result in the NFL seeing an increase in profits over the next few years. Overall this is a great idea and I don't see anything bad coming from it.
Matt, I really enjoyed your blog here. It was quite comprehensive and looked at multiple angles of the issue. I think that the NFL going overseas is an excellent idea. I often would think to myself as well that if teams want to call themselves the world champions they have to have the approval of more than just North America. I think the NFL should try something like playing a game on each continent each year. I know this would be A LOT of work for the league but they would be able to recoup their money easily with the publicity it would create for them. For now, however, going to London is a great thing for the NFL and football around the world. It will make a difference in the long run and that is what the NFL is clearly hoping for. I applaud the NFL for their decision to play a game across “the pond.”
Matt, This is a very interesting article and I'm glad you brought this up. I like the idea of the NFL expanding its network and bringing the game overseas. It is a great opportunity for people in other countries to see the NFL up close and personal. This event will not only bring more publicity to the league, but it will create a good relationship and social standing with the European culture. This is a good way for players in these countries to see what it takes to play in the NFL and maybe one day they could join. The only problem I have with this issue is that it is being done in the middle of the year. The game should have been done at the beginning of the season instead of in this position. I think the players will welcome the opportunity to play overseas, but I think it is a hassle to get ready for the game. Normally they would get a chance to get adjusted, but when they go to London the time and the plane ride will become a big factor. Overall, I do agree its a good idea, but this should have been done earlier.
I think it is a splendid idea to have two teams for the NFL to play a game overseas and I'd like to see more of it in the future. I also agree with you about the exposure the NFL will receive from playing overseas. Who knows, maybe not many people like the NFL or haven't heard about it London. But maybe after seeing this game, they will want to buy apparel from the NFL and get Direct TV to see more NFL games resulting in more Revenue for the NFL. I hope to se more international involvement in more sports in the future.
I think it's a great idea to promote football across the world. I mean when you think about it what is better than more exposure for our NFL teams and players. I love the idea of going to other countries and showing them "real" American football. Many foreign sports are popular in America, so why shouldn't it be the same for countries around the world? I know this would be A LOT of work for the league but they would be able to recoup their money easily with the publicity it would create for them. Normally they would get a chance to get adjusted, but when they go to London the time and the plane ride will become a big factor. I hope to see more international involvement in more sports in the future.
Post a Comment