NFL in talks to bring the Super Bowl to London - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mr. Television · 04-24-2009, 11:42 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ll/8016358.stm

NFL in talks on London Super Bowl
By Tim Love

Over half a million people applied for tickets for last year's clash at Wembley
The NFL has had "substantive talks" with officials in London about holding the Super Bowl in the city, a senior league official has told BBC Sport.

While commissioner Roger Goodell has previously admitted an interest in bringing the game to London, this is the first confirmation of discussions.

"We've spoken on what it would take to host and for us to bring it over," said events vice-president Frank Supovitz.

"The city has all the facilities needed, and in great quantity."

Supovitz was talking in New York City where the NFL Draft will take place this weekend.

"We have had very substantive conversations with the city of London. We've got to the point of exploring the bid document," he added.

Visit London, the capital's official visitor organisation, confirmed that it was pursuing a long-term ambition to bring the Super Bowl to the city.

"Ever since the NFL began playing games in London we have been in discussions with the NFL about what is involved in staging Super Bowl from the host city perspective," said commercial director David Hornby.

"It continues to be something we discuss on a regular basis, without there being any specific timetable or plan in place."

The venues for the next three Super Bowls have already been decided with Dolphin Stadium in Florida, Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas and the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana putting together successful bids.

But London has become the focal point for the NFL's desire to expand the sport globally, and bringing the sport's showpiece event to the city appears to be a real possibility.

Mark Waller, NFL Head of Sales and Marketing, said: "The NFL is a global property, has a global audience, and London is an incredible city from a sports fan's perspective. I don't think it's an unrealistic prospect at all."

There is certainly good reason for the NFL to believe that a Super Bowl in London would create sufficient interest for the game to be a success.

In October 2007, the NFL staged its first regular season game outside of the Americas, with over 80,000 fans at Wembley watching the New York Giants defeat the Miami Dolphins.

Last year, 83,000 supporters turned out to watch the New Orleans Saints beat the San Diego Chargers.

Visit London estimate that the match brought about £20m to the city with 7,000 team employees, sponsors and their guests crossing the Atlantic.

Tickets for this year's game in October between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots sold out more quickly than for the previous two contests.

However, if London is to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it will not be for quite some time.

"It won't happen in the next three or four years because we know where the Super Bowls will be, but these are exciting opportunities for us," Supovitz said.

Additional reporting by Mike Henson

Brian Damage · 04-24-2009, 11:45 PM

No offense to anybody from England, but that is one of the STUPIDEST ideas I ever heard of! Football is really an American sport, the time difference itself makes that a bad idea.

Marvo301 · 04-24-2009, 11:51 PM

The two previous NFL games played in London the wet rainy conditions made for a sloppy field which led to poorly played boring football. I would hate to see the Superbowl played in those kind of conditions.

Mr. Television · 04-24-2009, 11:59 PM

I hate the idea too. I don't even like that regular season games are played there.

Brian Damage · 04-25-2009, 12:00 AM

I seriously doubt the players like this idea either.

catlover79 · 04-25-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

No offense to anybody from England, but that is one of the STUPIDEST ideas I ever heard of! Football is really an American sport, the time difference itself makes that a bad idea.

EXACTLY!! The Super Bowl is an AMERICAN tradition. What's next - the World Series in Sudan??

comedyfreak · 04-25-2009, 01:07 AM

They need to keep the Super Bowl here at home, like Brian said it's an American sport.

catlover79 · 04-25-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

They need to keep the Super Bowl here at home, like Brian said it's an American sport.

Not to mention - IT WOULD HELP STIMULATE THE AMERICAN ECONOMY!!!!

Wreckless · 04-25-2009, 01:12 AM

it's all because of that stupid moron Goodell...they need to say GOODDAY to his ass...

TVFactFan · 04-25-2009, 01:15 AM

The Superbowl in 2006 had the LONDON LOOK in 2006 when the Bears played the Colts-lol

Not looking at no SB in London

Mr. Television · 04-25-2009, 01:18 AM

Is NFL Europe still running? I never watched that crap. lol

Wreckless · 04-25-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

The Superbowl in 2006 had the LONDON LOOK in 2006 when the Bears played the Colts-lol

what's that mean?? lol.

are you saying it was a boring SB and had nasty weather? cause it was like that.

TVFactFan · 04-25-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wreckless

what's that mean?? lol.

are you saying it was a boring SB and had nasty weather? cause it was like that.

Yeah the game just had a "DARK, DAMP, and SH*TTY" look to it-LOL

Wreckless · 04-25-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

Yeah the game just had a "DARK, DAMP, and SH*TTY" look to it-LOL

yeah it did, i agree with you...

TVFactFan · 04-25-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wreckless

yeah it did, i agree with you...

I think that was the worst looking SB this decade

04-24-2009, 11:42 PM	#1
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	NFL in talks to bring the Super Bowl to London http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ll/8016358.stm NFL in talks on London Super Bowl By Tim Love Over half a million people applied for tickets for last year's clash at Wembley The NFL has had "substantive talks" with officials in London about holding the Super Bowl in the city, a senior league official has told BBC Sport. While commissioner Roger Goodell has previously admitted an interest in bringing the game to London, this is the first confirmation of discussions. "We've spoken on what it would take to host and for us to bring it over," said events vice-president Frank Supovitz. "The city has all the facilities needed, and in great quantity." Supovitz was talking in New York City where the NFL Draft will take place this weekend. "We have had very substantive conversations with the city of London. We've got to the point of exploring the bid document," he added. Visit London, the capital's official visitor organisation, confirmed that it was pursuing a long-term ambition to bring the Super Bowl to the city. "Ever since the NFL began playing games in London we have been in discussions with the NFL about what is involved in staging Super Bowl from the host city perspective," said commercial director David Hornby. "It continues to be something we discuss on a regular basis, without there being any specific timetable or plan in place." The venues for the next three Super Bowls have already been decided with Dolphin Stadium in Florida, Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas and the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana putting together successful bids. But London has become the focal point for the NFL's desire to expand the sport globally, and bringing the sport's showpiece event to the city appears to be a real possibility. Mark Waller, NFL Head of Sales and Marketing, said: "The NFL is a global property, has a global audience, and London is an incredible city from a sports fan's perspective. I don't think it's an unrealistic prospect at all." There is certainly good reason for the NFL to believe that a Super Bowl in London would create sufficient interest for the game to be a success. In October 2007, the NFL staged its first regular season game outside of the Americas, with over 80,000 fans at Wembley watching the New York Giants defeat the Miami Dolphins. Last year, 83,000 supporters turned out to watch the New Orleans Saints beat the San Diego Chargers. Visit London estimate that the match brought about £20m to the city with 7,000 team employees, sponsors and their guests crossing the Atlantic. Tickets for this year's game in October between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots sold out more quickly than for the previous two contests. However, if London is to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it will not be for quite some time. "It won't happen in the next three or four years because we know where the Super Bowls will be, but these are exciting opportunities for us," Supovitz said. Additional reporting by Mike Henson
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04-24-2009, 11:45 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	No offense to anybody from England, but that is one of the STUPIDEST ideas I ever heard of! Football is really an American sport, the time difference itself makes that a bad idea.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-24-2009, 11:51 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,461	The two previous NFL games played in London the wet rainy conditions made for a sloppy field which led to poorly played boring football. I would hate to see the Superbowl played in those kind of conditions.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-25-2009, 01:07 AM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	They need to keep the Super Bowl here at home, like Brian said it's an American sport.
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04-24-2009, 11:59 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I hate the idea too. I don't even like that regular season games are played there.

04-25-2009, 12:00 AM	#5
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I seriously doubt the players like this idea either.

04-25-2009, 01:12 AM	#9
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	it's all because of that stupid moron Goodell...they need to say GOODDAY to his ass...

04-25-2009, 01:15 AM	#10
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,152	The Superbowl in 2006 had the LONDON LOOK in 2006 when the Bears played the Colts-lol Not looking at no SB in London

04-25-2009, 01:18 AM	#11
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Is NFL Europe still running? I never watched that crap. lol