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06-30-2014, 04:19 PM | |
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Ross Tucker: Spread the word to World Cup and beyond: American Football is better
heh, gotta love the arrogance of American sports writers.....
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/stor...cup-comparison Can't someone please think about the children? That's been the overriding thought going through my head while watching some of the World Cup soccer action the last couple weeks . When people talk about the NFL growing the game overseas, it is mainly a financial argument. The NFL's going to max out its popularity in the United States at some point, maybe soon. The biggest new area for potential revenue growth is internationally and that is the primary reason the NFL keeps putting more games in London. I wholeheartedly buy this argument and have said for years that if you look at the NFL as a business, with a long enough time horizon in mind it absolutely makes sense to continue to grow the game abroad. But there's another argument in addition to the financial one: the kids. There are hundreds of millions of kids all around the globe who love and adore soccer and believe it to be the greatest game in the world. That's a shame and something the NFL should strive to help rectify. I'm not going to bash soccer. Not even a little bit. I played both fall and spring soccer from age 6 until I was 12 (and my mom let me play football), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a great sport, especially for youth. Plus, this World Cup has been the most entertaining in recent memory in terms of scoring and comebacks, and the television ratings have reflected that. I personally find the pure passion of the fans to be the most compelling aspect of the sport, although some of the subtle touches that you see in seemingly every contest border on brilliance as well. But it's not football. Or should I say, "American" football. I know a lot of guys like me who played both soccer and football at different points of their life. I don't think any of them would tell you that they liked playing soccer more. I can think of one or two. Maybe. It seems like every kid plays soccer these days. It's been that way for over 30 years in some places of the country, including where I grew up. Yet most of those kids have become adults and prefer to watch football over soccer. Is it in large part a cultural thing with those adults? You know, "everybody is talking about it so I want to be able to be a part of the conversation?” Probably, but there are plenty of opportunities to watch soccer on television now, whether it is MLS or the Premier League, and still most of those soccer-playing adults choose to watch football. That's because it's better. Given the growth of football overseas—the NFL has already sold out three games in London this season—it feels like it is finally really catching on. Is it a tough game to understand if you don't know the rules? Are there significant financial and cultural barriers to the game growing in certain places? Would it take decades for some of these other countries to actually start having teams and playing the game, if ever? Yes, yes, and yes but that doesn't mean the NFL shouldn't try. There are entire generations of international fans who think soccer is the best sport out there. Think about that. We need to keep growing the NFL overseas. These same soccer fans need to be exposed to the hard-hitting action that only the NFL can provide. If not for the money, then do it for the children. I know I'd personally be very upset if I was 35 and didn't know anything about the greatest game ever created. The kids are still young. There's still time. Am I saying all this a little tongue in cheek? Of course, but you get my point. Soccer is good. Football is better. We need the NFL to help spread the word. If not for me, then do it for the kids. |
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06-30-2014, 06:46 PM | #31 | |
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It WAS a developmental league. It failed because, largely, Europeans don't give a shit about American football. |
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06-30-2014, 07:02 PM | #32 | |
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But if the NFL sets up a Pro team in Europe, and gives them some "stars" it has a chance......
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Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made. |
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06-30-2014, 07:08 PM | #33 |
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06-30-2014, 07:14 PM | #34 |
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They would if they got drafted by them. and money always talks for free agents.
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Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made. |
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06-30-2014, 07:19 PM | #35 |
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06-30-2014, 07:28 PM | #36 | |
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i don't think so
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Last edited by Mr. Laz; 06-30-2014 at 07:48 PM.. |
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06-30-2014, 07:33 PM | #37 |
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The Women's team would wipe the floor with the Mens.
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06-30-2014, 07:46 PM | #38 |
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The only reason why kids play soccer when they're young is so they can burn out all of the energy they have so the parents can relax at home.
Once boys grow up, they start playing real American sports. Soccer's a 3rd world sport designed for children.
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06-30-2014, 07:48 PM | #39 |
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Maybe consider doing full NFL training camps in Europe.
The idea of putting actual games in Europe is ****ing ****ing stupid. You don't ruin the integrity of the game just to add more butts in seats. This stupid shitty ass England game already destroys homefield advantage for one team, and allows other team to play 7 away games and one neutral game. In a league where you only get to play 16 games, that matters. If England becomes a more regular occurrence, you have to start getting people prepared for the time difference which means extra travel and jet lag, both of which could give a non-traveling team a huge advantage. ****. Keep the game the same. Sunday nights and Monday nights. Get rid of the Thursday night games. Don't even ****ing think of adding another night. Let us have a full Saturday with some meaningful draft picks and don't you dare add another day to draft night. Oh yeah, and keep the ****ing game inside of the US unless you are talking about exhibition games. |
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06-30-2014, 07:51 PM | #40 | |
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Idea Ever.
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06-30-2014, 07:58 PM | #41 |
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Americans don't give a shit about preseason games. When I did some work with the Rams, we had to beg people to take prime preseason seats.
I'm not saying it's the answer. But if we're expanding overseas, we should do it for exhibition games, not for the regular season. And putting some training camps is not a bad idea because you can place camps all over Europe and they're really close traveling distance from each other. |
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06-30-2014, 08:00 PM | #42 |
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Perhaps we can fly. All of us. How will we ever know unless we leap from some tall tower? No man ever truly knows what he can do unless he dares to leap. |
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06-30-2014, 08:25 PM | #43 | |
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06-30-2014, 08:32 PM | #44 | |
Like I woke up in Wonderland..
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They probably wouldnt be so arrogant if there werent so many people attacking them for being soccer fans. Its a defense mechanism. But what they say is true - its boring if you dont understand it.
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06-30-2014, 08:57 PM | #45 |
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I agree that American football is better. But it's getting quite tiring hearing these people constantly needing to notify us of this.
I've never really watched the World Cup before until this year and I've enjoyed what I've watched so far. There is no need to trash it. It reeks of "we're better than you cuz we're 'Murica" and its getting really annoying. Watch your NFL and and let people who enjoy World Cup watch it without your stupid bullshit. |
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