NFL's European league folds after 15 years

NFL's European league folds after 15 years
By NESHA STARCEVIC, AP Sports Writer
June 29, 2007

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- The NFL folded its development league in Europe after 15 years 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 championship in Frankfurt before a crowd of 48,125. Five of the league's six teams are in Germany, with the other in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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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.

 

Man, it seems like it was longer than 15 years ago...

You think they're talking 15 years since the NFL bought the WLAF or 15 years total (WLAF + NFLE)

 

3

 

If it had gotten popular we'd have seen fans rioting, murdering, burning cars etc. At least now that won't happen.

 

I watched the London Monarchs play at Wembley in 1991, which was the first year of the WLAF. I can't remember who they played, but it was an American team wearing fluorescent lime green shirts. That was 16 years ago.

I saw the Monarchs play a few more times in later years, at Wembley and at White Hart Lane (another soccer ground) before the NFL decided they were losing too much money and folded the team (as they later did with teams from Scotland and Barcelona).

NFL Europa is still a big sport in Germany but the NFL has pulled the plug to make way for regular season games outside the States, which I'm sure few American fans want. What really upsets me about this is that when the Panthers get to play in the UK, I'm unlikely to get a ticket because the game will sell out in hours to non-Panther NFL fans and to corporations who know nothing about the game.

 

I used to be in the house band for the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks for two years when they played at Carter Finley Stadium and Roman Gabriel was the coach. Imma thinkin they didn't even win any games. We played rocknroll music soundbites during TV timeouts on a stage in the corner of endzone next to the old field house, which was typical for all the teams back then ('90-'91?)

 

All but assures a 17th game as well.

 

I can't believe the Europeans would rather watch soccer. What a bunch of pussies.

 

It's not wrestling.

 

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 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.

The players as well as season ticket holders for the teams that will be chosen will certainly be overjoyed.