Using the MLB and NBA as an example, it is clear that the NFL is trying to globalize football in the same way. Next season, there will be three games played outside the United States with the Buffalo Bills playing an annual game in Toronto and then two games being played in London. While I believe having games outside the states is a great way to market the NFL, I believe it will be hard to globalize the national football league this way. One of the premier reasons football is not watched is because the timing of the games. Since the time change, it is very hard for people outside of the United States to watch football games, unless they are already dedicated followers. I believe if the NFL wants to globalize in Europe they need to start youth programs. By establishing youth leagues in major cities across Europe, children will become fascinated with the game at a young age. If the NFL were able to establish successful leagues abroad and produce a future NFL player, I believe the popularity would grow significantly. Similar to Yao Ming or Pau Gasol, and the many other international athletes who have played in America, international fans are fixated and fascinated by following a star from their country. I believe the best way the NFL could start this is by having players travel to countries and hold two week introductory practices during the summer and have that lead into football practices or games in the fall, similar to America. If an NFL player held a camp abroad, similar to the many camps they currently hold in America, their popularity would grow as children and interested athletes would have a player they know and can relate to.
I agree that it will be very difficult to globalize the NFL, especially considering American Football is only played in the United States and basically nowhere else. This isn't the case for basketball, because although it's most popular in the USA, it has become an international sport and many young people play in other countries which allows stars such as Pau Gasol and Yao Ming to emerge. I'm not sure bringing NFL stars to Europe to promote the sport would be successful, as Europeans can't identify with an Adrian Peterson or Peyton Manning the same way they could with LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, for example.
ReplyDelete-John McCann
I agree that youth programs should be a priority over regular season games. However, I think in order to draw interest to youth programs you need the regular season games as a tool. It's a huge entryway and unfortunately there doesn't seem like other ways to do it.
ReplyDeleteThe NFL needs to take their European footprint, which they somewhat have already, and start branding it. Make London feel like there's a potential for a team, and get them to become familiar with the culure.
They need to find a way to televise more games, make rugby players into hard-nosed american football players, and failed football (soccer) players into the league's best kickers and punters.
While I agree having gaming in Europe can help improve the fan base of the National Football League, without people actually playing the game abroad, I feel as though it is hard to get a fan base. By having children gain exposure at an early age, they will be more likely to pursue football in the future. Whether that be in a park with their friends, staying up to watch their favorite team or player, or even form leagues to play the sport recreationally.
ReplyDeleteWhile playing games in London is important to globalizing the game, people in London would still have a very hard time finding a football. If people cannot buy footballs and have no access to play the game, there is no chance the sport will grow to markets outside the United States.
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