5 Reasons Why American Football Hasn't Caught On Abroad
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I wouldn't call it socialism because 1) it is not administered by the government and 2) owners buy a team knowing the rules in advance. It's merely a contract.
Only soccer I really enjoy is the World Cup. At least most are playing for their country there.
Calling soccer football in the rest of the world probably doesn't help either.
Thanks for the facts and comparisons. Very interesting.
US Football is actually growing in Russia. Still a club sport throughout but the number of participants is growing.
NFL works in the US because it has adapted itself to the use of television perfectly, in many cases to the detriment of the people in the stadium. How many times in a game do fans in the stadium hear, "there is a time out on the field" so TV can run yet another lo-cal beer, fantasy gambling, or "our truck is toughest" ad, over and over and over?
My cousins from Africa thought US baseball was stupid compared to cricket, until we sat down and explained all the nuances and strategies involved. After that they were hooked and watch the Cubs on satellite.
My rugby friends from England call US football as "organized rugby" which in a way it is since it is a derivative just like Aussie Rules.
Quote from: spuwho on November 12, 2015, 07:15:39 AM...NFL works in the US because it has adapted itself to the use of television perfectly, in many cases to the detriment of the people in the stadium. How many times in a game do fans in the stadium hear, "there is a time out on the field" so TV can run yet another lo-cal beer, fantasy gambling, or "our truck is toughest" ad, over and over and over?
This is a perfect example of the "sport" ruining the "game", and one of the reasons I like American football less and less (and, trust me, I DO love the game). It is a 60-minute game that takes 210 minutes to play, because of what the "sport" has done to sell itself. Seriously? That is preposterous. When I watch my soccer team play, it is a 90 minute game that is done in 110 minutes. And yet, those soccer players are just as richly rewarded for their play as the professional athletes over here, without all those commercials.
College basketball, which I used to absolutely love, has become the same way. A 40-minute game that takes 120-150 minutes to play. It's not bad enough that they get eight, three-minute long media timeouts, plus a 15-minute halftime, but then each coach is given 97 timeouts per half that they feel the need to spend.
I can sort of agree with reason two (it's too complicated) - the first game I ever saw must not have been too enjoyable for my American Dad since I kept pestering him with questions non - stop. Soccer is a lot easier to follow.
Other than that, I don't really buy the rest of the reasons and don't think they have anything to do with it.
For one there is the name - it's called football but honestly, there is not too much foot - ball interaction, is there ? (which is why the rest of the world refers to soccer as football instead).
As for American football being socialist - no, not really, as (and correct me if I'm wrong), a spot in the league is bought and not earned, plus a team can be transplanted to any city.
In soccer, on the other hand, a team is formed in a city and stays there (some cities can even have several teams that play in the same league). If you want to play in the premier league, you have to earn the spot, not buy it. Having deep pockets to buy top players certainly helps but it's not a guarantee.
There are also many more teams, plus different tiers of leagues - there are the premier, secondary, third and regional leagues and if you are one of the top two / three teams of your current league you move one up (and vice- versa for the bottom two / three). You have teams that were title contenders (and / or actually held the title) years ago that are now playing in the third league, and you have third league teams that marched through to the premiere league in two years. This makes things exciting.
As the teams stay where they are, there is also a lot more attachment to the team since there is no possibility that Paris Saint Germain may be Brussels Saint Germain the next season if the owner so desires (most teams don't even have an owner but are clubs). It really is your hometown team, one in whose youth team you or your friends may have played.
Next thing are the players: While many of the more known teams consist of players bought all over the world, you still often have a large percentage of players who actually started training with the team as kids.
There are probably many more reasons, but I feel that the above are some.
I think the NFL is going to surprise many in Europe with the growth over the next decade. There is a superiority component (in the mind, I mean) to those who insist the popularity will never grow beyond North America that hasn't properly accounted for one fundamental "new" thing that is seriously changing the equation -- fantasy sports.
This easily allows Europeans (and others) into the game, just as it is allowing American kids to follow international soccer like never before.
With respect to technology and sports, everything is changing. And it is changing quickly. That's why Shad has been so smart with his London initiative, and that's why other NFL owners are trying to get in on it. It's taking off (sellouts every game; big-spending fans crowding London streets), it's clearly headed to Germany, and the other owners want to not be left behind.
A better article would have looked forward; this one is looking backwards into time it seems to me. For instance: the advertising is ridiculous? TV timeouts are a bummer? Dayyyuuuummmm -- I guess these writers have never heard of the RedZone Channel.
Actually, there NFL has already been present in Europe (NFL Europe). I know the Frankfurt Galaxy were actually pretty popular in the area.
That league was terminated in 2007, however, so don't count on too much enthusiasm of the then fans...
Quote from: Gunnar on November 12, 2015, 01:37:07 PM
Actually, there NFL has already been present in Europe (NFL Europe). I know the Frankfurt Galaxy were actually pretty popular in the area.
That league was terminated in 2007, however, so don't count on too much enthusiasm of the then fans...
The easy argument is that was D-level talent. That's also why the NFL isn't sending preseason games there either. It remains to be seen whether A-level talent will become a hit, but it's clear D-listers weren't cutting it.
Quote from: Redbaron616 on November 12, 2015, 06:59:45 AM
I wouldn't call it socialism because 1) it is not administered by the government
It sounds like you don't really have a very broad understanding of socialism. That said, it's not socialism because the teams or league isn't owned by the workers. It's more like some sort of capitalist cartel or something.
Quote from: TimmyB on November 12, 2015, 07:36:08 AM
Quote from: spuwho on November 12, 2015, 07:15:39 AM...NFL works in the US because it has adapted itself to the use of television perfectly, in many cases to the detriment of the people in the stadium. How many times in a game do fans in the stadium hear, "there is a time out on the field" so TV can run yet another lo-cal beer, fantasy gambling, or "our truck is toughest" ad, over and over and over?
This is a perfect example of the "sport" ruining the "game", and one of the reasons I like American football less and less (and, trust me, I DO love the game). It is a 60-minute game that takes 210 minutes to play, because of what the "sport" has done to sell itself. Seriously? That is preposterous. When I watch my soccer team play, it is a 90 minute game that is done in 110 minutes. And yet, those soccer players are just as richly rewarded for their play as the professional athletes over here, without all those commercials.
College basketball, which I used to absolutely love, has become the same way. A 40-minute game that takes 120-150 minutes to play. It's not bad enough that they get eight, three-minute long media timeouts, plus a 15-minute halftime, but then each coach is given 97 timeouts per half that they feel the need to spend.
One thing I have noticed is people seem to think it's odd that an NFL team has different teams depending on whether they have the ball or not (or are kicking, etc). If it were more like rugby, it would maybe seem a bit more normal. Rugby with the forward pass (which is basically what makes American - and Canadian - football so exciting).
Speaking of which, the NFL is quite popular in Canada and the CFL is the second-most popular Canadian sports league. Yes, Canadian football is a different code of the game, but it's quite similar.
Quote from: Adam White on November 12, 2015, 02:07:04 PM
One thing I have noticed is people seem to think it's odd that an NFL team has different teams depending on whether they have the ball or not (or are kicking, etc)...
Which is yet ANOTHER reason that I have gravitated away from our football and towards futbol. There are wonderful athletes who play American football; yet, there are guys who can run the 100 and be timed with a sundial, who can't play three plays in a row without being totally gassed. And, yet, these guys are stars? Soccer demands that you be an athlete, someone who can endure for 90+ minutes, with only a 15 minute break at halftime. I'm not trolling, trying to get anyone upset. I'm just explaining why I have loved American football less and less each year. I haven't watched the nfl in over a decade, other than Thanksgiving, and that's only because others are watching it. I still like the college game, but I see elements that I despise, such as those I already mentioned, plus a couple of others.
Quote from: TimmyB on November 12, 2015, 03:31:30 PM
Quote from: Adam White on November 12, 2015, 02:07:04 PM
One thing I have noticed is people seem to think it's odd that an NFL team has different teams depending on whether they have the ball or not (or are kicking, etc)...
Which is yet ANOTHER reason that I have gravitated away from our football and towards futbol. There are wonderful athletes who play American football; yet, there are guys who can run the 100 and be timed with a sundial, who can't play three plays in a row without being totally gassed. And, yet, these guys are stars? Soccer demands that you be an athlete, someone who can endure for 90+ minutes, with only a 15 minute break at halftime. I'm not trolling, trying to get anyone upset. I'm just explaining why I have loved American football less and less each year. I haven't watched the nfl in over a decade, other than Thanksgiving, and that's only because others are watching it. I still like the college game, but I see elements that I despise, such as those I already mentioned, plus a couple of others.
I am sort of in the same boat. I slowly stopped watching NFL (and eventually college football) over the past 15 - 20 years (and certainly in the last 10). Once I moved overseas, it was pretty much a done deal. I used to try to watch the Super Bowl, but that just doesn't hold too much interest for me. I think the game has just got too absurd. And I really hate the way the commentary has become more and more obnoxious.
I don't necessarily think that soccer players are better athletes - they're just different athletes. But I do like the fact that soccer is pretty much non-stop action for 2 45-minute halves.
Football uniforms are "sacred " and devoid of advertising? Both the NFL and NCAA unis have logos strategically placed to be in every TV shot.
True, it isn't like the grocery store on the Armada jerseys, but there are ads.
"Boy, the advertising is really really ridiculous in American football"
Signed- Fly Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Betway.
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 05:30:25 PM
"Boy, the advertising is really really ridiculous in American football"
Signed- Fly Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Betway.
I think the level of advertising in NFL football is way over the top - but this is due in large part to the vast number of commercial breaks. Since the action stops so much, you frequently cut to commercials.
In soccer, you've got the shirts and the advertising boards (during each half of the match). You don't have a whole lot else (little things here and there). And no commercials during the halves.
Also, at least in Europe, the commentators don't talk nearly as much during the course of the match. American football commentators hate any dead air. And they also pitch stuff, like upcoming shows on the network, etc.
Quote from: Adam White on November 12, 2015, 05:42:13 PM
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 05:30:25 PM
"Boy, the advertising is really really ridiculous in American football"
Signed- Fly Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Betway.
I think the level of advertising in NFL football is way over the top - but this is due in large part to the vast number of commercial breaks. Since the action stops so much, you frequently cut to commercials.
In soccer, you've got the shirts and the advertising boards (during each half of the match). You don't have a whole lot else (little things here and there). And no commercials during the halves.
Also, at least in Europe, the commentators don't talk nearly as much during the course of the match. American football commentators hate any dead air. And they also pitch stuff, like upcoming shows on the network, etc.
Exactly. At moments when they should be reviewing what just happened on that last play, their producer gave them a promo to read for a show coming up on that network that has zero to do with the game!!!
Quote from: TimmyB on November 12, 2015, 05:48:13 PM
Quote from: Adam White on November 12, 2015, 05:42:13 PM
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 05:30:25 PM
"Boy, the advertising is really really ridiculous in American football"
Signed- Fly Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Betway.
I think the level of advertising in NFL football is way over the top - but this is due in large part to the vast number of commercial breaks. Since the action stops so much, you frequently cut to commercials.
In soccer, you've got the shirts and the advertising boards (during each half of the match). You don't have a whole lot else (little things here and there). And no commercials during the halves.
Also, at least in Europe, the commentators don't talk nearly as much during the course of the match. American football commentators hate any dead air. And they also pitch stuff, like upcoming shows on the network, etc.
Exactly. At moments when they should be reviewing what just happened on that last play, their producer gave them a promo to read for a show coming up on that network that has zero to do with the game!!!
They also like to go into talking about a player's personal life or whatever. It's pretty cringeworthy. They do that in the Olympics, too, and it makes it really hard to watch. It's okay not to talk.
I also think that Chris Berman helped ruin sports television. He was funny at first, but now it's out of hand. Everyone has to have a catchphrase or "funny" thing to say. It's like that "sweet sassy molassy" skit on SNL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjnEJNeG8k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjnEJNeG8k)
That soccer jersey advertising is over to the to me. It would be like the Jags just having a big 'CSX' across the chest of the jersey with nothing really identifying with Jax or the Jaguars. Soccer also don't 'have a whole lot' of scoring, which turn Americans off; Look no further than baseball.
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 05:30:25 PM
"Boy, the advertising is really really ridiculous in American football"
Signed- Fly Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Betway.
I'll look at those on my shirts any day of the week, as opposed to 90 minutes per game of Viagra, fantasy betting sites, and that bearded hipster who is trying to convince me how smart Chevrolets are!
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 06:05:45 PM
That soccer jersey advertising is over to the to me. It would be like the Jags just having a big 'CSX' across the chest of the jersey with nothing really identifying with Jax or the Jaguars. Soccer also don't 'have a whole lot' of scoring, which turn Americans off; Look no further than baseball.
Yeah, I can see that. The advertising on the shirts doesn't faze me, but sometimes you see one that looks terrible. And in some leagues, the shirts are covered in multiple adverts, which looks tacky and ugly.
Also - the scoring thing is something that people mention. That said, a lot of American football games don't have too much scoring either - a 21-7 game is essentially the same thing as a 3-1 soccer game (I don't think a point after counts as a separate score for entertainment purposes).
That said, a 3-1 or 3-2 soccer game is fairly high scoring, whereas a 21-7 football game isn't considered too great.
Quote from: Adam White on November 12, 2015, 05:58:59 PM
I also think that Chris Berman helped ruin sports television.
I totally agree with that!!!
Here's a pretty funny Berman diss on youtube. It has more thumbs down, mostly because the person hates the NFL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7kAOttzD3Q
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 06:12:34 PM
Quote from: Adam White on November 12, 2015, 05:58:59 PM
I also think that Chris Berman helped ruin sports television.
I totally agree with that!!!
Here's a pretty funny Berman diss on youtube. It has more thumbs down, mostly because the person hates the NFL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7kAOttzD3Q
I did used to think he was funny when I first saw him. But his schtick got old pretty quick.
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 06:05:45 PM
That soccer jersey advertising is over to the to me. It would be like the Jags just having a big 'CSX' across the chest of the jersey with nothing really identifying with Jax or the Jaguars. Soccer also don't 'have a whole lot' of scoring, which turn Americans off; Look no further than baseball.
That, to me, is a VERY SMALL price to pay for zero commercials during the game. I have never looked at Manchester United and not recognized them, simply because they have a small crest on their shirt, as opposed to some gigantic logo.
As for the scoring thing, I am in total agreement with you. Americans like things that are easy. Witness the NBA, in which you can get a technical foul called on your team for playing an "illegal defense"! WTF??? Yeah, we don't want teams playing defense; we want scoring! Probably why it took so long for hockey to grasp a foothold in the USA. Once people realized that you can have end to end action AND excitement, without a lot of scoring, they slowly came around. Now, it's gigantic in America.
Like I said, I didn't post my thoughts in order to rile anyone up or to start a p***ing match. I'm simply stating what I hate about the "sport" ruining the "game". When I see these college football players up to the line of scrimmage, looking over to the sideline to see if the play should be changed because the coaches upstairs see the hole in the defense, it makes me puke. Coach the kids during practice, let them go out and play the game. We used to talk about great catchers in baseball calling great games, handling pitchers, etc. Now, they look over at the dugout for each and every pitch. <<sigh>>
Quote from: Adam White on November 12, 2015, 05:58:59 PMThey also like to go into talking about a player's personal life or whatever. It's pretty cringeworthy. They do that in the Olympics, too, and it makes it really hard to watch. It's okay not to talk.
I also think that Chris Berman helped ruin sports television. He was funny at first, but now it's out of hand. Everyone has to have a catchphrase or "funny" thing to say. It's like that "sweet sassy molassy" skit on SNL:
Put 99% of espn into that. I was SO excited when they came on the air in '81. It was revolutionary. Within 10 years, they had become the most self-serving pos in broadcasting.
Adam, TimmyB -- have either of you watched the RedZone channel? No advertising, jumps from game to game to game and follows the ascending action.
Soccer will *never* be able to quite do that like the NFL can.
Technology is completely changing how these games are consumed. Completely. I'm curious on this component; neither one of you have addressed that point, I don't believe. The RedZone channel helps feed the interest in fantasy football which, in turn, allows for greater interest in the game among a select (and wealthier) niche audience.
Quote from: I-10east on November 12, 2015, 06:05:45 PM
Soccer also don't 'have a whole lot' of scoring, which turn Americans off; Look no further than baseball.
This too me is one of the more ignorant statements on why football is better than other sports like soccer. First off, that 24-14 "high-scoring" game football fans find so exciting? Welcome to the illusion of multiplication, suckers! Out of the 60+ chances each team had on top of all the huddles, intermissions, stoppages of plays, and TV timeouts, one team only scored on 3 and a half of it's opportunities while the other team only twice. Baseball at bats normally have a significantly greater scoring rate.
And you think a lot of football fans love high scoring games? Well teams like Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor, and Texas Christian light it up regularly when they play, particularly against each other. If most fans really like their scoring, then how come hardly anyone anxiously awaits Big 12 football games as if they were anticipating Christmas fucking morning? Truth is we love the teams we love but for everything else most fans are hype and sheeple-driven.
Football is my favorite sport, but that shouldn't stop me or other football fans for calling out ignorance, hypocrisy, and when things are just plain wrong with the sport and its fans.
Quote from: RattlerGator on November 12, 2015, 10:11:05 PM
Adam, TimmyB -- have either of you watched the RedZone channel? No advertising, jumps from game to game to game and follows the ascending action.
Soccer will *never* be able to quite do that like the NFL can.
Admittedly, I haven't. It is not available where I live. I believe that NBC has a similar product for Premier League soccer matches. But I'm not entirely sure what it is called.
Quote from: RattlerGator on November 12, 2015, 10:11:05 PM
Adam, TimmyB -- have either of you watched the RedZone channel? No advertising, jumps from game to game to game and follows the ascending action.
Soccer will *never* be able to quite do that like the NFL can.
Technology is completely changing how these games are consumed. Completely. I'm curious on this component; neither one of you have addressed that point, I don't believe. The RedZone channel helps feed the interest in fantasy football which, in turn, allows for greater interest in the game among a select (and wealthier) niche audience.
No, I haven't but that is because I couldn't give a flying you-know-what about the nfl. However, you are completely incorrect about soccer. First of all, there is NBC Extra Time. EVERY single Premier League match, every single weekend, is on. I don't have to worry about "which" game will be featured this weekend; they're ALL on! I can decide which one(s) to watch, record, whatever.
As for fantasy sports, don't even get me going with that. A bunch of people who are betting on certain players having good days, people who couldn't care less which teams win and which ones lose, as long as their player does well, is supposed to be GOOD for the game??? Yikes. You just kinda validated much of point of the "sport" ruining the "game", don't you think?
I'll go back to this, though. My comments weren't designed to get into a war between "which sport is better". People should be able to watch whatever they want. It appears we are both doing that!
I play fantasy Premier League. But I'd rather "my" team have a good week over my fantasy team.
Quote from: Adam White on November 13, 2015, 07:43:39 AM
I play fantasy Premier League. But I'd rather "my" team have a good week over my fantasy team.
And, I don't doubt that there are many like you, Adam. My point is, I don't see sports betting as being "good for the game" in any way. People aren't being attracted to the game; they're being attracted to the thrill of possibly winning money.
Quote from: TimmyB on November 13, 2015, 08:03:24 AM
Quote from: Adam White on November 13, 2015, 07:43:39 AM
I play fantasy Premier League. But I'd rather "my" team have a good week over my fantasy team.
And, I don't doubt that there are many like you, Adam. My point is, I don't see sports betting as being "good for the game" in any way. People aren't being attracted to the game; they're being attracted to the thrill of possibly winning money.
I'm not a huge fan of gambling and its effect on sport in general - but I'm not fussed about people not being attracted to the game. Most people I know who play fantasy football (whether it's soccer or American football) seem to be fans.
Quote from: Adam White on November 13, 2015, 08:26:43 AM
Quote from: TimmyB on November 13, 2015, 08:03:24 AM
Quote from: Adam White on November 13, 2015, 07:43:39 AM
I play fantasy Premier League. But I'd rather "my" team have a good week over my fantasy team.
And, I don't doubt that there are many like you, Adam. My point is, I don't see sports betting as being "good for the game" in any way. People aren't being attracted to the game; they're being attracted to the thrill of possibly winning money.
I'm not a huge fan of gambling and its effect on sport in general - but I'm not fussed about people not being attracted to the game. Most people I know who play fantasy football (whether it's soccer or American football) seem to be fans.
I guess one of the main reasons that this is one of my hot buttons is, I am hugely into the sport of volleyball. Or, shall I say, I was. I have been involved as a player, a coach, an official, a public-address announcer, a television analyst, ... Over the past two decades, I've watched as the powers that control this sport have sold out the soul of the game, not because it made the game better, but because they thought it would make the game more "package-able" to television, and the money that comes with it. The game looks very little like the game that it was when I was playing it, and the rally-scoring method for every point has taken all of the drama out of the game. Once a team has a large lead, that's pretty much it. Mathematically, it's almost impossible for them to lose.
I love the "game", be it volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, etc. I simply hate what the lure of money does to that game.
About volleyball: I've casually turned on a match in the last few years and wondered to myself -- what the hell is going on with the scoring? So, I hear you on that issue but television must be accounted for.
On football: it isn't about which is better or whether fantasy is good for the game TimmyB, it's just (from my vantage point) taking note of how things can rapidly change and render the conventional wisdom (on both sides of the Atlantic) obsolete. We may be in one of those periods when it comes to sports.
Quote from: RattlerGator on November 13, 2015, 10:38:25 AM
On football: it isn't about which is better or whether fantasy is good for the game TimmyB, it's just (from my vantage point) taking note of how things can rapidly change and render the conventional wisdom (on both sides of the Atlantic) obsolete. We may be in one of those periods when it comes to sports.
I agree. I bet soccer becomes more popular in the USA (it clearly is gaining a lot of ground) and American football grows overseas.
I agree with both of you. The world is changing at a faster and faster pace, and both sports are likely to grow into new markets that were once thought impossible.
I think the main reason American football hasn't caught on outside of America is that it was in origin just another regional "football" game. Same deal with Canadian football, rugby football, rugby league football, Gaelic football, and Australian rules football. English "association football" or soccer was just fortunate to catch on around Europe, and through colonialism it spread through Europe's sphere of influence. Even in the US, only relatively recently has football become the most popular sport (baseball was king).
Spreading American football in pretty much any region means competing with more established sports, including the various other rugby-like games that are fairly similar. If it ever happens, it'll be through concerted effort by the NFL, it won't just happen organically. The most obvious first region would be Canada, but the NFL is unlikely to do that as it would certainly mean the death of the CFL and probably Canadian football in general. Efforts in Mexico and Japan didn't get anywhere, so I guess Europe is the next logical place. clearly the NFL knows it will be very costly and time consuming. It looks like they're willing to make a serious go at it.
Quote from: RattlerGator on November 13, 2015, 10:38:25 AM
About volleyball: I've casually turned on a match in the last few years and wondered to myself -- what the hell is going on with the scoring? So, I hear you on that issue but television must be accounted for.
That's the thing, though, Gator: they've made that change to "accommodate" television, but it really doesn't. You put Penn State up against Iowa, it's still going to be over in 60 minutes, and that's with a 12-minute intermission. Penn State vs Nebraska might be a 5-setter that lasts two+ hours. In the first, you've got another hour to kill, in the second, you're over your allotment. In the side-out scoring method, there was excitement. With rally scoring, once a team has a decent lead, it is yawn-time. Very (very!) rare for a team to be able to come back from that. Add to that the bizarre scheduling of matches, due to broadcasting issues.
Again, all for the riches of television, it hasn't helped my sport in any tangible way, while it definitely hurt it, IMO.