NFL Europe is Gone!!

Boston's Future · Post #1 » by **Boston's Future** » Sun Jul 1, 2007 2:51 pm

FRANKFURT, Germany -- The NFL folded its development league in Europe after 16 years on Friday, calling the decision a sound business move that will allow for a stronger international focus on regular-season games outside the United States. The announcement came less than a week after the Hamburg Sea Devils beat the Frankfurt Galaxy 37-28 in the World Bowl title game in Frankfurt before a crowd of 48,125. Five of the league's six teams are based in Germany, with the other in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

A statement on the German-language edition of the NFL's Web site said the NFL decided to concentrate its "strategies and resources" on regular-season games outside the United States in an effort to reach as many people as possible.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell thanked the fans for their support but said it was time to develop a new international strategy, terming the move to fold NFL Europa the ``best business decision.'' The league reportedly was losing about $30 million a season.

"From now on we will focus on regular-season games and use new technologies to make NFL more popular worldwide," he said.

NFL team owners decided in October to play up to two regular-season games outside the United States. The first such game is Oct. 28 in London between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.

The league said it is looking toward other regular-season games in Germany, Mexico and Canada, with Germany a strong candidate for 2008.

"NFL Europa has created thousands of passionate fans who have supported that league and our sport for many years," said Mark Waller, senior vice president of NFL International. "And we look forward to building on this foundation as we begin this new phase of our international development."

The league began in 1991 as the World League of American Football, with 10 teams from the United States and Europe, spreading from Scotland to Spain. After closing for two seasons in 1993 and 1994, the league returned with six European teams and retained the same format until the end.

The league was used by NFL teams to test young talent and produced players such as quarterback Kurt Warner, who led the St. Louis Rams to the 2000 Super Bowl championship and won two NFL Most Valuable Player awards; Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme; and star Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.

NFL Europa managing director Uwe Bergheim said the league had succeeded in establishing a fan base for football in important European markets.

"Despite the great support of fans, business partners and the cities where we were active, we decided that it was time to change the strategy," Bergheim said.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Monkeyfeng06 · Post #2 » by **Monkeyfeng06** » Sun Jul 1, 2007 5:15 pm

no tears.

Post #3 » by **lpsevier** » Mon Jul 2, 2007 4:53 pm

:crickets:

Post #4 » by **J.Kim** » Mon Jul 2, 2007 5:10 pm

They need to create a Minor League in North America...

And they need to give Toronto a team.

Hell, I bet North America could probably support a English Premiere League-like structure in terms of leagues (Top League, and then many, MANY underneath it)

Ong_dynasty · Post #5 » by **Ong_dynasty** » Tue Jul 3, 2007 9:05 am

J.Kim, if your talking about relegation and all, it is one of the worse financial structure known to sports.
But I do think a NBDL type would work.

Post #6 » by **J.Kim** » Tue Jul 3, 2007 2:57 pm

Ong_dynasty wrote:J.Kim, if your talking about relegation and all, it is one of the worse financial structure known to sports.
But I do think a NBDL type would work.

Nope not relegation.

I guess the closest model I'm talking about is Baseball.

Post #7 » by **Icness** » Tue Jul 3, 2007 6:58 pm

J.Kim wrote:They need to create a Minor League in North America...

And they need to give Toronto a team.

Hell, I bet North America could probably support a English Premiere League-like structure in terms of leagues (Top League, and then many, MANY underneath it)

Patience. I think you're going to see the new AAFL develop into that if it catches on--kind of a AAA-level league that the NFL eventually takes over as a developmental league. And they'll be in markets that the NFL can't move into, places like Toronto, Alabama, OKC, Vegas, Columbus, Hampton Roads, Portland, etc.

At least that's what I envision. It kinda depends on the motivation of the owners of the new league, if they're willing to absorb losses and contain costs and not try to damage the NFL.

Huskies1947 · Post #8 » by **Huskies1947** » Tue Jul 3, 2007 7:06 pm

Why couldn't the NFL move into Toronto? I can see the Buffalo Bills relocating to either LA or Toronto in the future.

Post #9 » by **J.Kim** » Tue Jul 3, 2007 7:41 pm

Huskies1947 wrote:Why couldn't the NFL move into Toronto? I can see the Buffalo Bills relocating to either LA or Toronto in the future.

Not with Ralph Wilson.

If he dies this year (or is it next?) There's no estate tax, and the Bills can be kept in Buffalo by his sons and daughters I think...

Post #10 » by **J.Kim** » Tue Jul 3, 2007 7:43 pm

Icness wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Patience. I think you're going to see the new AAFL develop into that if it catches on--kind of a AAA-level league that the NFL eventually takes over as a developmental league. And they'll be in markets that the NFL can't move into, places like Toronto, Alabama, OKC, Vegas, Columbus, Hampton Roads, Portland, etc.

At least that's what I envision. It kinda depends on the motivation of the owners of the new league, if they're willing to absorb losses and contain costs and not try to damage the NFL.

I hope it does. Given the type of revenues that the league generates, and as well, the amount of players that could potentially play in minor league systems, the NFL could very well support several tiers of minor leagues underndeath the NFL.

Modern_epic · Post #11 » by **Modern_epic** » Tue Jul 3, 2007 9:28 pm

Icness wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Patience. I think you're going to see the new AAFL develop into that if it catches on--kind of a AAA-level league that the NFL eventually takes over as a developmental league. And they'll be in markets that the NFL can't move into, places like Toronto, Alabama, OKC, Vegas, Columbus, Hampton Roads, Portland, etc.

At least that's what I envision. It kinda depends on the motivation of the owners of the new league, if they're willing to absorb losses and contain costs and not try to damage the NFL.

By the sounds of it this league will be no better than the CFL, so I don't really see a team in Toronto surviving long.

milehigh · Post #12 » by **milehigh** » Thu Jul 5, 2007 6:49 am

why god why

livestrong4ever · Post #13 » by **livestrong4ever** » Fri Jul 6, 2007 1:53 pm

I remember the good ole days when fox used to show NFL Europe games

:'(

HDMAVS760CA · Post #14 » by **HDMAVS760CA** » Mon Jul 9, 2007 2:24 am

Huskies1947 wrote:Why couldn't the NFL move into Toronto? I can see the Buffalo Bills relocating to either LA or Toronto in the future.

Toronto would make better sense. Besides...L.A. DOES NOT DESERVE ANOTHER TEAM! I was born there & still say that. And I have felt for some years they did some kind of minor league in North America. Possibly a NFL Mexico or something. Have 2 or 3 teams in Mexico. If they have enough stadiums. 1 in Mexico city & have teams that are close to Mexico. Like San Antonio, El Paso, New Mexico. Tijuana. That was a long time ago when I thought of that. I know that a NFL Canada wouldn't work because of the CFL.