OT: Early Morning Football, Lions Vs. Falcons In London

[NJCardFan]

In case some of you don't know, tomorrow's Lions/Falcons game is going to be aired at 1:30pm London time meaning it's going to be on at 9:30am EDT and 6:30am AZ time. This is all part of the plan to see if a team in London would work. They're going to check to see if the ratings are going to be worth allowing said London team play games in the afternoon there. If it's a ratings bomb, even in the affected cities, then this silly notion of putting NFL teams in Europe should be put to bed. Oh, and I heard tell that if a city wants to host a future Super Bowl then that host team has to play a game in London. If this is true then Goodell has got to go. This is extortion in it's highest degree.

 

[AzStevenCal]

In case some of you don't know, tomorrow's Lions/Falcons game is going to be aired at 1:30pm London time meaning it's going to be on at 9:30am EDT and 6:30am AZ time. This is all part of the plan to see if a team in London would work. They're going to check to see if the ratings are going to be worth allowing said London team play games in the afternoon there. If it's a ratings bomb, even in the affected cities, then this silly notion of putting NFL teams in Europe should be put to bed. Oh, and I heard tell that if a city wants to host a future Super Bowl then that host team has to play a game in London. If this is true then Goodell has got to go. This is extortion in it's highest degree.

I don't even think it's extortion in it's lowest degree. Leverage yes, extortion no. It's no more extortion than a parent telling a teenager that he can't go to the school dance if he doesn't carry a B average.

Extortion (from FindLaw site): Most states define extortion as the gaining of property or money by almost any kind of force, or threat of 1) violence, 2) property damage, 3) harm to reputation, or 4) unfavorable government action.

Steve

 

[seesred]

I will never agree with teams playing games during the season in London it' hard enough playing these games just going coast to coast . When the league puts four teams in Europe let them come here. p.s. also hate Thursday night games. How many players must we hurt before the NFL takes a step back?
GBR
40

 

[CardLogic]

I am not a fan of Goodell, but this isn't on him. It's a case of jealousy of the colder climate, and small market team owners towards the preferred Super Bowl site owners.

 

[NJCardFan]

I don't even think it's extortion in it's lowest degree. Leverage yes, extortion no. It's no more extortion than a parent telling a teenager that he can't go to the school dance if he doesn't carry a B average.

Extortion (from FindLaw site): Most states define extortion as the gaining of property or money by almost any kind of force, or threat of 1) violence, 2) property damage, 3) harm to reputation, or 4) unfavorable government action.

Steve

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events comparable to the World Cup, Olympics, and such. It brings attention and revenue to the host city. Telling any potential host city that they must forfeit a home game(which cuts into the revenue of that area) and play in London is extortion by the very definition you're giving. I'll quote verbatim: "Moat states define extrotion as the gaining of property or money by almost any kind of force, or threat of 4) unfavorable government action". In this case the NFL being the governing body is threatening to keep the Super Bowl from a potential city unless it acquiesces to their demand that they play in London. Also, the NFL is requiring any potential half time show performer to pay to play as well. Oy.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events comparable to the World Cup, Olympics, and such. It brings attention and revenue to the host city. Telling any potential host city that they must forfeit a home game(which cuts into the revenue of that area) and play in London is extortion by the very definition you're giving. I'll quote verbatim: "Moat states define extrotion as the gaining of property or money by almost any kind of force, or threat of 4) unfavorable government action". In this case the NFL being the governing body is threatening to keep the Super Bowl from a potential city unless it acquiesces to their demand that they play in London. Also, the NFL is requiring any potential half time show performer to pay to play as well. Oy.

For the purposes of this definition, government isn't the same as "governing body" but nice try. It simply is not extortion. If this were truly extortion we'd all be on our way to prison someday.

Steve

 

[ajcardfan]

For the purposes of this definition, government isn't the same as "governing body" but nice try. It simply is not extortion. If this were truly extortion we'd all be on our way to prison someday.

Steve

It's not extortion, I agree. It's a business contract.

I remember all the bellyaching when the Cards played in Mexico City. It was just weird to hear all the complaining given how miserable attendance was at SDS. Since the NFL shares revenue, it doesn't affect a team's income much. Now, the local economy, sure. But every pro sports league is attempting to go global.

Does no one notice how soccer is getting into the US fan base? You can now watch UEFA games on ESPN. I see people wearing overseas soccer jerseys here every so often. You have elite teams like ManU and Real Madrid coming over here and playing MLS teams. You can be sure the NFL notices it, and wants to expand their global fan base as much as any other pro league.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's not extortion, I agree. It's a business contract.

I remember all the bellyaching when the Cards played in Mexico City. It was just weird to hear all the complaining given how miserable attendance was at SDS. Since the NFL shares revenue, it doesn't affect a team's income much. Now, the local economy, sure. But every pro sports league is attempting to go global.

Does no one notice how soccer is getting into the US fan base? You can now watch UEFA games on ESPN. I see people wearing overseas soccer jerseys here every so often. You have elite teams like ManU and Real Madrid coming over here and playing MLS teams. You can be sure the NFL notices it, and wants to expand their global fan base as much as any other pro league.

They should have put more money into growing the sport years ago if they really want to penetrate the European market. Maybe if they'd poured more money and effort into NFL Europe we would have this current situation.

I suspect they regret not putting more effort and money into NFL Europe. It could have given them a solid base to work from. But right now I have serious doubts that courting the London market is going to help the NFL's dream of going global.

Steve

 

[ajcardfan]

They should have put more money into growing the sport years ago if they really want to penetrate the European market. Maybe if they'd poured more money and effort into NFL Europe we would have this current situation.

I suspect they regret not putting more effort and money into NFL Europe. It could have given them a solid base to work from. But right now I have serious doubts that courting the London market is going to help the NFL's dream of going global.

Steve

Yeah, I didn't understand why they folded NFL Europe after just a few years. First of all, it was a good farm system for the NFL. Lots of good NFL players might not have gotten a shot without showing what they could do in Europe. Exhibit A being Kurt Warner of course.

 

[MrYeahBut]

To me, Mexico just makes so much more sense. I mean, logistically, for Chargers, Cards, 9ers, Broncos, Crowboys, Texans the trip would be much easier than, say, the Chargers to Jets. These teams wouldn't be playing out of their home time zone for the most part.

In places I've been the Dodgers have a huge following there and they love them some Crowboys too, not that the world needs any more of their fans.

Yeah, yeah, there's corruption there and security problems, but corruption exists everywhere and its not like there haven't been terrorist threats in London either.

I don't get it.

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[crisper57]

The Falcons feel like the Cardinals of old. He just can't put a team away.

 

[crisper57]

The good news now is the Falcons will be a broken team we finally face them.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

What a come back.

Down 21-0 at half and Lions win 22-21

 

[BullheadCardFan]

London makes no sense with the long travel and different time zone for the teams and how it will affect them in the next weeks game.

If we have to have an international presence then Mexico makes better sense. But I don't like doing this for Mexico when they still haven't released the marine and the way they ignore the border problems. It would be like rewarding them for all the wrong reasons.

 

[crisper57]

I don't mind London, but both teams should get BYEs the week after trips like that.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Wouldn't it have been better for the Cards with a Falcons win should wildcard come into play with the Lions? I know Cards play Detroit and need to win that game but this game could have an impact.

 

[crisper57]

Wouldn't it have been better for the Cards with a Falcons win should wildcard come into play with the Lions? I know Cards play Detroit and need to win that game but this game could have an impact.

Yes, but I don't see a WC coming out of the North or South.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Yes, but I don't see a WC coming out of the North or South.

The the South stinks so I agree there, but the lions are 6-2 and are playing much better under Caldwell. They might be 7-1 if they'd had a field goal kicker.

It was funny Prather missed the first one and then got the delay of game penalty. Re-kick, he makes it. My brother, Lions fan, was going crazy.

.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Forget Mexico, too many other problems. Increase the season, make it 20 weeks long. Go to 18 regular season games, two bye weeks and do away with preseason games. Go to double headers on Thursday so the routine can start later in the season and end well before the regular season concludes. All Thursday games should be preceded by a bye and the London games should be followed with a bye. Also, increase the active roster by at least 2 spots.

Steve

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I don't mind London, but both teams should get BYEs the week after trips like that.

That would make sense

 

[BullheadCardFan]

The Daily Mail reports that the annual slate of London games will expand to five in 2015. The report suggests that the increase to five games will “lay the foundation” for a team to move there.

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the NFL describes the report as “inaccurate.”

Link.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Daily Mail reports that the annual slate of London games will expand to five in 2015. The report suggests that the increase to five games will “lay the foundation” for a team to move there.

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the NFL describes the report as “inaccurate.”

The most interesting part of that article? The fact that the NFL supposedly described it as "inaccurate" instead of "incorrect". Inaccurate suggests there might be a lot of truth surrounding the inaccuracy.

Steve