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

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.

Discuss Thrower · 06-30-2014, 04:23 PM

Until the NFL dilutes the product by having too many games a week and expanding teams when the league currently has a dearth of talent at the last important position.

Eleazar · 06-30-2014, 04:32 PM

Most Americans probably don't want to see "the NFL growing the game overseas", if you are talking about the NFL itself.

Apart from that, he gives no reasoning with which for these people to go and tell all the world that the NFL is better except that it delivers "hard-hitting action".

I think most people feel like the NFL's product (on the field anyway) was better 20 years ago, so they aren't likely to become missionaries for it.

Rasputin · 06-30-2014, 04:32 PM

The way it's going happen is NFL is going fade away into obscurity and then the Chiefs will win a Super Bowl when NO ONE CURRS.

**Bugeater** · 06-30-2014, 04:35 PM

**** this guy. The NFL is ours, let the rest of the world be a bunch of soccer-loving pillowbiters.

Pasta Little Brioni · 06-30-2014, 04:37 PM

Taking the league over seas and home games away from loyal fans is a ****ing joke

Deberg_1990 · 06-30-2014, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Taking the league over seas and home games away from loyal fans is a ****ing joke

I dont think thats the ultimate goal. Ultimate goal is placing franchises in overseas cities permanently.

**Rausch** · 06-30-2014, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I dont think thats the ultimate goal. Ultimate goal is placing franchises in overseas cities permanently.

Put that $3it on the shelf until we have one in Canadia or Cali-south...

Rasputin · 06-30-2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Taking the league over seas and home games away from loyal fans is a ****ing joke

I agree it's ****ing stupid. I mean think about it. American settlers did every thing they could to get away from England and Europe and across the Atlantic. We fought for our liberties & freedom over here against the Brits. Now they can go **** themselves or come here to watch "American Football".

I have a hard enough time to get to go to Arrowhead Stadium to watch Chiefs and they want to take a home game away over there. **** Roger Goodell & who ever else idea that is.

**Baby Lee** · 06-30-2014, 04:49 PM

If you think MLS is boring compared to EPL, that's got NOTHING on the next 30 years of international American Football, no matter how much money they pump in to it.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-30-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

**** Roger Goodell & who ever else idea that is.

Do you think Goodell and the League office have complete autonomy?

The blame lies with the owners. Period.

**Gadzooks** · 06-30-2014, 04:54 PM

A pretty obvious observation from Tucker. If hockey had the same accessibility and media hype as soccer it would be the most popular sport in the world.

In American Samoa football is made accessible through the schools, hence, in 2010, the island was home to twenty eight players who played in the NFL; a number that has increased each year. This shows the accessibility can be doable.

If you look at pro soccer there are multiple major leagues. The NFL is not in a position to become the equivalent to UEFA so they would try to grow the sport under their banner. That will only annoy the current fans. They just don't seem to have a good business plan at this point.

Pasta Little Brioni · 06-30-2014, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I dont think thats the ultimate goal. Ultimate goal is placing franchises in overseas cities permanently.

Nobody who follows the game wants that. It's ****ing stupid to have teams over there.

Deberg_1990 · 06-30-2014, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Nobody who follows the game wants that. It's ****ing stupid to have teams over there.

Its not about what you want or American fans. Its about what the league wants and what their business needs are. Their goal is is make more money. The NFL probably feels the American audience is close to being maxed out.

Pasta Little Brioni · 06-30-2014, 05:00 PM

They don't want it either. Let them have soccer. Those greedy ****s are rich enough.

06-30-2014, 04:19 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3904454	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, 04:23 PM	#2
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $3126869	Until the NFL dilutes the product by having too many games a week and expanding teams when the league currently has a dearth of talent at the last important position. __________________ Chiefs 2016 Opponents: Home: JAX, TEN, NO, TB, NYJ. Away: HOU, IND, ATL, CAR, PIT Chiefs 2017 Opponents: Home: BUF, MIA, PHI, WSH, AFC North. Away: NE, NYJ, NYG, DAL, AFC South
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06-30-2014, 04:32 PM	#3
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Most Americans probably don't want to see "the NFL growing the game overseas", if you are talking about the NFL itself. Apart from that, he gives no reasoning with which for these people to go and tell all the world that the NFL is better except that it delivers "hard-hitting action". I think most people feel like the NFL's product (on the field anyway) was better 20 years ago, so they aren't likely to become missionaries for it.
Posts: 80,659

06-30-2014, 04:32 PM	#4
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $3385421	The way it's going happen is NFL is going fade away into obscurity and then the Chiefs will win a Super Bowl when NO ONE CURRS.
Posts: 54,972

06-30-2014, 04:35 PM	#5
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6242680	**** this guy. The NFL is ours, let the rest of the world be a bunch of soccer-loving pillowbiters.
Posts: 70,443

06-30-2014, 04:37 PM	#6
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $3868880	Taking the league over seas and home games away from loyal fans is a ****ing joke
Posts: 68,686

06-30-2014, 04:49 PM	#10
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	If you think MLS is boring compared to EPL, that's got NOTHING on the next 30 years of international American Football, no matter how much money they pump in to it. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
Posts: 95,642

06-30-2014, 04:54 PM	#12
Gadzooks MFIC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tromsø, Norway Casino cash: $3839219	A pretty obvious observation from Tucker. If hockey had the same accessibility and media hype as soccer it would be the most popular sport in the world. In American Samoa football is made accessible through the schools, hence, in 2010, the island was home to twenty eight players who played in the NFL; a number that has increased each year. This shows the accessibility can be doable. If you look at pro soccer there are multiple major leagues. The NFL is not in a position to become the equivalent to UEFA so they would try to grow the sport under their banner. That will only annoy the current fans. They just don't seem to have a good business plan at this point.
Posts: 7,771

06-30-2014, 05:00 PM	#15
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $3868880	They don't want it either. Let them have soccer. Those greedy ****s are rich enough.
Posts: 68,686