Football Ross Tucker: Spread the word to World Cup and beyond: American Football is better - Page 3

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.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-30-2014, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

No it is not, it will be the exact thing if the NFL expanded over there again. There is not enough talent to field another league. It would be Arena leaguers and CFLers going over there.

The NFL will never expand until it pays out of its own pockets pee wee leagues and up in every country in Europe. Then wait 15-20 years.

I do not see them offering that.

Uh. You're preaching to the choir.

It WAS a developmental league.

It failed because, largely, Europeans don't give a shit about American football.

Deberg_1990 · 06-30-2014, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

It failed because, largely, Europeans don't give a shit about American football.

Would you watch a minor league Euro soccer league over here? Of course not.

But if the NFL sets up a Pro team in Europe, and gives them some "stars" it has a chance......

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-30-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Would you watch a minor league Euro soccer league over here? Of course not.

But if the NFL sets up a Pro team in Europe, and gives them some "stars" it has a chance......

No 'Star' would play over there full-time.

Deberg_1990 · 06-30-2014, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

No 'Star' would play over there full-time.

They would if they got drafted by them. and money always talks for free agents.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-30-2014, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

They would if they got drafted by them. and money always talks for free agents.

They aren't going to pay more than any other franchise.

Mr. Laz · 06-30-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

heh, gotta love the arrogance of American sports writers.....

more arrogant than the soccer snobs?

i don't think so

Setsuna · 06-30-2014, 07:33 PM

The Women's team would wipe the floor with the Mens.

CoMoChief · 06-30-2014, 07:46 PM

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.

chiefzilla1501 · 06-30-2014, 07:48 PM

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.

CoMoChief · 06-30-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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.

Dumbest

Idea

Ever.

chiefzilla1501 · 06-30-2014, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Dumbest

Idea

Ever.

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.

Sorter · 06-30-2014, 08:00 PM

Hydrae · 06-30-2014, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fruit Ninja

NFL football used to be better. Its now just a sprint. For me its losing its burst. Pretty soon its going to be like Pro Bowl rules, only 4 can rush and no blitzing lol

Also, yes American football does need a minor league system

You mean like this: http://fxfl.com/ ?

sedated · 06-30-2014, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

more arrogant than the soccer snobs?

i don't think so

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.

Cannibal · 06-30-2014, 08:57 PM

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.

06-30-2014, 04:19 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	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, 07:33 PM	#37
Setsuna Paladin Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Gator Country Casino cash: $10008487	The Women's team would wipe the floor with the Mens.
Posts: 13,215

06-30-2014, 07:46 PM	#38
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	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. __________________
Posts: 39,156

06-30-2014, 07:48 PM	#39
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $2134497	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.
Posts: 48,033

06-30-2014, 08:57 PM	#45
Cannibal Better to burn out... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bible Thumping Country Casino cash: $10010618	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.
Posts: 9,306