Post by lazarus on Jun 15, 2003 20:25:42 GMT -5
Tabliabue: Expansion in NFL Europe possible
Associated Press
Jun. 14, 2003 11:53 a.m.
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP)—
There could be more teams in NFL Europe next year despite stagnating attendance, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Saturday.
Officials from Madrid and Hamburg have approached the NFL about joining the six-team, all-European league, Tagliabue said.
A decision will be made in mid-September when NFL owners meet.
"In the past, we've looked at expansion and visited Madrid," said Tagliabue, speaking in Glasgow before the World Bowl - NFL Europe's championship game. "We've had discussions with German cities who have shown interest. We have a lot to do - there are decisions to be made in the off-season."
Adding teams would play a key role in the NFL's 24-hour football network - slated to be launched in mid-November - and attract more young European fans, Tagliabue said.
He ruled out expanding to the United States next season. Some reports have indicated a team would surface in Florida. Tagliabue said the chances of that happening were slim.
Six United States-based teams played in the World League of American Football in 1991 and '92 but folded when the league suspended play.
The current all-European format has been in place since 1995.
"Spring leagues in the U.S. have a very mediocre history," said Tagliabue.
Several NFL Europe teams drew well below the league average of 16,402 fans this season, but contraction isn't likely, Tabliabue said.
The NFL has never broken even on its developmental league and pumps several millions of dollars into it annually to promote the American game abroad.
"We know why we're here, to develop players and the game abroad," said Gene Upshaw, head of the NFL Players' Association. "You can't measure this league in dollars and cents. If we did that, we'd come to the conclusion we shouldn't be doing this."
Tagliabue plans to brief owners about the league at the September meetings.
"We'll talk about this league then," he said. "We've had three to five-year business plans, and we're coming up to the end of the cycle."
Berlin and Duesseldorf are the leading contenders to host next year's World Bowl, Tagliabue said.
Associated Press
Jun. 14, 2003 11:53 a.m.
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP)—
There could be more teams in NFL Europe next year despite stagnating attendance, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Saturday.
Officials from Madrid and Hamburg have approached the NFL about joining the six-team, all-European league, Tagliabue said.
A decision will be made in mid-September when NFL owners meet.
"In the past, we've looked at expansion and visited Madrid," said Tagliabue, speaking in Glasgow before the World Bowl - NFL Europe's championship game. "We've had discussions with German cities who have shown interest. We have a lot to do - there are decisions to be made in the off-season."
Adding teams would play a key role in the NFL's 24-hour football network - slated to be launched in mid-November - and attract more young European fans, Tagliabue said.
He ruled out expanding to the United States next season. Some reports have indicated a team would surface in Florida. Tagliabue said the chances of that happening were slim.
Six United States-based teams played in the World League of American Football in 1991 and '92 but folded when the league suspended play.
The current all-European format has been in place since 1995.
"Spring leagues in the U.S. have a very mediocre history," said Tagliabue.
Several NFL Europe teams drew well below the league average of 16,402 fans this season, but contraction isn't likely, Tabliabue said.
The NFL has never broken even on its developmental league and pumps several millions of dollars into it annually to promote the American game abroad.
"We know why we're here, to develop players and the game abroad," said Gene Upshaw, head of the NFL Players' Association. "You can't measure this league in dollars and cents. If we did that, we'd come to the conclusion we shouldn't be doing this."
Tagliabue plans to brief owners about the league at the September meetings.
"We'll talk about this league then," he said. "We've had three to five-year business plans, and we're coming up to the end of the cycle."
Berlin and Duesseldorf are the leading contenders to host next year's World Bowl, Tagliabue said.
