I think it’s great. It’s such fun to scan the roster for the names of those college stars you always thought would make it in the NFL. And, at that time of year, I’m seriously missing my football.
I suppose I sort of triggered this thread in thr “Sports Rules” thread, huh?
NFL Europe has been around for about 6 years now, I think. There are a few problems surrounding it.[ul][li]Europe is not the US. It’s impossible to gain the same amount of attention that football (“Soccer”) does.[/li][li]The competition is Europe-wide. So, the Amsterdam Admirals - yes, really :rolleyes: - will play Dortmund Rhhinefire this week, and the Barcelona Dragons or the London Monarchs next week. That’s a big difference from the nationalised football competitions that have an additional pan-European counterpart in the various UEFA cups. Less involvement, if you will. After all, going on an away match will cost you a fortune.[/li][li]The level of play is, compared to the NFL, mediocre at best.[/li][li]200 supporters in a 50,000 people stadium don’t look too appealing. But the game requires the stadiums because they have large grass pitches. But lemme tell you, it pisses me off to watch an Ajax match and get confused because the NFL lines are still on the field (vaguely) from the last Admiral match. This is a football pitch, dammit![/ul][/li]Suffice it to say that NFL Europe can never live up to its American counterparty, in terms of the level of play as well as in terms of popularity. Americans will never be huge on “soccer” (some will be, of course, but they’re a distinct minority). Likewise, American Football will never fully catch on in Europe.
This all started as the World League of American Football about 10 years ago, with teams in America as well as Europe. All of the American teams folded quickly, and the European contingent survived as NFL Europe.
The NFL needs some kind of minor or developmental league, and NFL Europe would be great for that. It’s already happening to some extent, with a few players specifically allocated to Amsterdam or wherever.