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FullMetalFalcon23 · 01-22-2012, 02:05 PM

(01-22-2012 01:29 PM)papachaz Wrote: It's about as obvious as it can get that the NFL is positioning the Rams for a franchise free agency move to jolly old land, is it not? Unlike some, I'm not against this move as it's both inevitable and needed to expand the grand American game beyond the North American continent. If/when the Rams or another franchise finally start operating out of London, the travel will be a daunting task even in their division.

i have absolutely no idea what this answer will be, so i'll ask and maybe someone can give a good answer. how did NFL Europe go? i realize it was kind of like the 'minor league'. but were those games sell outs or did they have good attendance? I have hosted a couple of exchange students, and neither of them was much impressed with football, they're all stuck on soccer.

NFL Europe was a mixed bag. For the NFL teams it allowed players to develop. On the flipside it was a bad financial adventure. Because they couldn't get the fan bases going. I think this was because they tried to implant Football into foreign culture.

What I propose is making use of the current domestic teams and the fan bases they have and progressively building it up just like the NFL started. In Britain we have youth kitted which starts from 9 then juniors which is 15 upwards then from 18 upwards you are senior ball eligible. But most play at college for 3 to 4 years at the same time. When I was playing I had 8 college games, then 10 more for senior ball all fitted into 10 months, 2 off season/preseasons and post seasons tournaments too.

Structure with any professional sports system is key.

**Radical** · 01-22-2012, 06:03 PM

I don't understand why we don't try to go north instead of across the ocean.

illmusic · 01-22-2012, 06:21 PM

The Toronto Rams, eh

FullMetalFalcon23 · 01-22-2012, 06:22 PM

(01-22-2012 06:03 PM)Radical Wrote: I don't understand why we don't try to go north instead of across the ocean.

European market is a more tantalising prospect I guess. Hell even Russia has American Football teams.

Anomaly · 01-22-2012, 06:35 PM

(01-22-2012 06:03 PM)Radical Wrote: I don't understand why we don't try to go north instead of across the ocean.

Well they are trying to get Canada matched up with the Bills.

pauliwood · 01-22-2012, 07:20 PM

(01-22-2012 06:35 PM)Va Falcon 88 Wrote: Well they are trying to get Canada matched up with the Bills.

Yeah, it seems the general feeling is the league would rather have the Bills in Toronto than in Buffalo.
It is also fairly obvious that the League is determined to to go back to LA.
I see these two moves being made before a team goes to Europe.
If a Toronto franchise works, Vancouver would also be a logical next step due to a rivalry with the city of Seattle.

A realistic test move before giving a team to London, is keep having games there like they do now, only have 1 game in London a week (with different teams obviously). each team goes once so it's fair across the board, and it would be a good dry run to test the logistics of the weekly travel involved with a European franchise.

**Radical** · 01-22-2012, 08:08 PM

If we could fine a way to merge the CFL with the NFL. Hell, both leagues are all happy-passy now.

pauliwood · 01-22-2012, 08:40 PM

(01-22-2012 08:08 PM)Radical Wrote: If we could fine a way to merge the CFL with the NFL. Hell, both leagues are all happy-passy now.

A UFL - CFL merger might be interesting.