But then, we're playing meaningless games. Imagine this: You have never paid attention to soccer in your life. Then you learn from a close buddy that Arsenal and Manchester United are two of the top teams of soccer in the world. (Which they ARE) This game MEANS SOMETHING, so you might actually go... regardless of if you care about the results or not.
Whether pride, or team records, or representing your city, state, or nation, it turns out to be IMPORTANT. In the NFL, NO TEAM plays to win in the preseason. They play to learn their future roster, and sit their stars so they are healthy during the reg season. Many teams have gone to the SB whether O-4 or 4-0 in preseason. Fans abroad can't be expected to be passionate and true, unless the games mean something! They aren't dumb or ignorant...
Exactly. Menaingless pre-season games may have worked in the past when the odd game was played in the UK back in the late 80's/early 90's, but would be a failure today. Here is what I do know, Sky Sports, the premeir sports channels in the UK (ESPN equivalent) own just about all the top sports coverage over here with almost ALL football (soccer) leagues, competitions (certainly the top ones) shown on it. They have recently signed a new multi year deal with the NFL to CONTINUE and EXPAND its coverage of the NFL in the UK. This shows that Sky, no business fools, believe there is a fanbase for this content in the UK, compared to the relatiely sparse NBA coverage we receive. This deal is also, I believe, the most lucrative deal that the NFL has signed outside America.
The NFL Europe league, while not a particular success showed that fans were willing to go to games. In Scotland, the Claymores regularly drew about 12,000 people, up to 16,000 for a regular season games (in a city that is football (soccer) mad with 165,000 poeple in a city of 600,000 attending professional matches) to see what is basically Super Diet Lite NFL with No Sugar or Caffiene. It is a poor league as maybe only 1% (a rough guesstimate) of players participating ever make an impact in the NFL. I remember sitting through a 3 and a half hour game that finished 3 - 0 to the opposition. NOT GOOD. But there were just as many fans there the next game. When the World Bowl was held here, over 30,000 turned up to see the game, which didn't feature the Claymores. Fans were there from the two German teams who were taking part, Claymores fans also came along as well as some who went just to see what the fanfare is all about.
This was all about 5 years ago when interest in the league was far lower than it is now.
Also, people's worries about travelling over to the UK or Germany and losing time is all rubbish. Jet-lag can be avoided. We are only 5 hours ahead, so you can just sleep in longer and take your moring practice in the afternoon etc. Flying times to London is not far from that of a flight to the West Coast and customs as mentioned in another thread are not going to be a problem unless you've got something to hide (Ricky?). I'm sure the league woud pick up the cost of transferring and setting up the equipment. The bye week folowing the game allows for plenty recovery time and you could EASILY be back in Miami for Monday lunchtime, maybe earlier.
I've rushed this a little so excuse any bad grammar. Hopefully I've got my point(s) accross.