Football Ross Tucker: Spread the word to World Cup and beyond: American Football is better - Page 4

Deberg_1990 · 06-30-2014, 04:19 PM

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.

Sorter · 06-30-2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

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.

This.

**morphius** · 06-30-2014, 11:18 PM

The problem is that the time differnces and travel time between Europe and the USA is too different. You can't feasably have a team in Greece play Seattle and then fly home and play another game the next Sunday. They lose too much practice time, and guys will be jet lagged to the point of playing like crap.

If it was easy, the World Cup wouldn't be just every 4 years.

|Zach| · 07-01-2014, 12:32 AM

I love football. I just used to love it a lot more when it's biggest priority wasn't generating TV revenue and the style of play didn't feel more like high contact 7 on 7 that's all.

Schnitzel · 07-01-2014, 12:44 AM

The excitement for the NFL is actually pretty high over here in Europe. There is just no real interest in our own football league, which is one of the best in Europe, but still lightyears from the NFL. And that's the problem.

I also went to the European Championship finale between Austria and Germany and the atmosphere was surprisingly good (around 30'000 people and louder than the Pats game I went to last fall^^) and people were wearing jerseys of almost every NFL team there. However, the game was just hard to watch if you're used to the NFL. Soccer is the clear no 1 teamsports here and (unfortunately) nothing is gonna change that in the near future...

|Zach| · 07-01-2014, 07:42 AM

I don't think American Football can organically spread that far. Though Godell will push it in the UK...really hard. NFL might have reached a bit os a saturation point I mean you can only sell so many jerseys to so many people in one place...abroad must be the next great frontier. EPL is doing something very similar in reverse.

Sully · 07-01-2014, 07:52 AM

Imagine how fun it would be,years from now...
Instead of expanding the league, the NFL plants an independent league in Europe. It sucks for years, but gets better and better as the years go on. After several decades, it's close to on par with the NFL. Now, the Super Bowl in the US is the league championship for the right to play the top European team for the true world championship. How fun would that be? Tell me that wouldn't be just as hyped as the World Cup.

Reerun_KC · 07-01-2014, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

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.

This...

Too many guys crying about how soccer sucks...

Be men and either ignore it or watch it... Stop menstruating on the people who are enjoying it... Whining bitches.

KCUnited · 07-01-2014, 07:56 AM

The speculation they always talk about on the local KC radio is an NFL super facility located on the East Coast. So a team(s) on the West Coast would play a New England team one week, stay and practice at the super facility and fly to Europe to play a game the next week and then have a bye week or something.

Interesting concept, but still dumb.

Bambi · 07-01-2014, 08:09 AM

American Football will look very little like the game that is being played today in the next 30 years. Head injuries and the younger generation's dwindling interest will force the sport to change. It was a good run though.

Valiant · 07-01-2014, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

Imagine how fun it would be,years from now...
Instead of expanding the league, the NFL plants an independent league in Europe. It sucks for years, but gets better and better as the years go on. After several decades, it's close to on par with the NFL. Now, the Super Bowl in the US is the league championship for the right to play the top European team for the true world championship. How fun would that be? Tell me that wouldn't be just as hyped as the World Cup.

Until they start paying for all the equipment pee wee league and up where do these players come from at the pro level? You will need to create more pro level players.

Dayze · 07-01-2014, 08:45 AM

as others have mentioned, the NFL has become a shell of its' former self. particularly for the past 10 years. and it's only going to get worse. the special treatment of certain players the same batch of 3 to 5 teams that are on every ****ing week on the national games. unbearable.

the offense rule changes and neutering the defense makes a large percentage of games are unwatchable for me. My interest in the NFL has dwindled SO much in he past 10 years. Each year getting lower and lower. Now, NCAA has my full attention.

|Zach| · 07-01-2014, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

as others have mentioned, the NFL has become a shell of its' former self. particularly for the past 10 years. and it's only going to get worse. the special treatment of certain players the same batch of 3 to 5 teams that are on every ****ing week on the national games. unbearable.

the offense rule changes and neutering the defense makes a large percentage of games are unwatchable for me. My interest in the NFL has dwindled SO much in he past 10 years. Each year getting lower and lower. Now, NCAA has my full attention.

All the god damned commercial breaks every 5 seconds.

Reerun_KC · 07-01-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

All the god damned commercial breaks every 5 seconds.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-01-2014, 09:11 AM

Smells like pussy in here...

Oh, it's all the bleeding vaginas bitching about the NFL.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-01-2014, 09:12 AM

The NFL, on its worst day, is better than most things on this planet.

06-30-2014, 04:19 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3664454	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.
Posts: 66,914

06-30-2014, 11:18 PM	#47
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6805027	The problem is that the time differnces and travel time between Europe and the USA is too different. You can't feasably have a team in Greece play Seattle and then fly home and play another game the next Sunday. They lose too much practice time, and guys will be jet lagged to the point of playing like crap. If it was easy, the World Cup wouldn't be just every 4 years.
Posts: 25,979

07-01-2014, 12:32 AM	#48
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5176768	I love football. I just used to love it a lot more when it's biggest priority wasn't generating TV revenue and the style of play didn't feel more like high contact 7 on 7 that's all.
Posts: 53,492

07-01-2014, 12:44 AM	#49
Schnitzel Starter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Somewhere else Casino cash: $10013194	The excitement for the NFL is actually pretty high over here in Europe. There is just no real interest in our own football league, which is one of the best in Europe, but still lightyears from the NFL. And that's the problem. I also went to the European Championship finale between Austria and Germany and the atmosphere was surprisingly good (around 30'000 people and louder than the Pats game I went to last fall^^) and people were wearing jerseys of almost every NFL team there. However, the game was just hard to watch if you're used to the NFL. Soccer is the clear no 1 teamsports here and (unfortunately) nothing is gonna change that in the near future...
Posts: 646

07-01-2014, 07:42 AM	#50
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5176768	I don't think American Football can organically spread that far. Though Godell will push it in the UK...really hard. NFL might have reached a bit os a saturation point I mean you can only sell so many jerseys to so many people in one place...abroad must be the next great frontier. EPL is doing something very similar in reverse.
Posts: 53,492

07-01-2014, 07:52 AM	#51
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	Imagine how fun it would be,years from now... Instead of expanding the league, the NFL plants an independent league in Europe. It sucks for years, but gets better and better as the years go on. After several decades, it's close to on par with the NFL. Now, the Super Bowl in the US is the league championship for the right to play the top European team for the true world championship. How fun would that be? Tell me that wouldn't be just as hyped as the World Cup. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

07-01-2014, 07:56 AM	#53
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1938244	The speculation they always talk about on the local KC radio is an NFL super facility located on the East Coast. So a team(s) on the West Coast would play a New England team one week, stay and practice at the super facility and fly to Europe to play a game the next week and then have a bye week or something. Interesting concept, but still dumb.
Posts: 34,115

07-01-2014, 08:09 AM	#54
Bambi Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York City Casino cash: $10036993	American Football will look very little like the game that is being played today in the next 30 years. Head injuries and the younger generation's dwindling interest will force the sport to change. It was a good run though.
Posts: 17,810

07-01-2014, 08:45 AM	#56
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $4879358	as others have mentioned, the NFL has become a shell of its' former self. particularly for the past 10 years. and it's only going to get worse. the special treatment of certain players the same batch of 3 to 5 teams that are on every **ing week on the national games. unbearable. the offense rule changes and neutering the defense makes a large percentage of games are unwatchable for me. My interest in the NFL has dwindled SO much in he past 10 years. Each year getting lower and lower. Now, NCAA has my full attention. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed:** Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,377

07-01-2014, 09:11 AM	#59
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Smells like pussy in here... Oh, it's all the bleeding vaginas bitching about the NFL.
Posts: 59,997

07-01-2014, 09:12 AM	#60
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	The NFL, on its worst day, is better than most things on this planet.
Posts: 59,997