Bills in Germany next season?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

The Bills were left out of the NFL's international marketing assignments. You'd assume Canada but we didn't even get that.

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-awards-international-marketing-rights-to-18-teams-in-eight-countries

 

 

The Bills care not, because the Bills have

 

🎶Chris-tee-an  Wade 🎵

 

[Captain Hindsight]

If it’s chiefs and pats** hosting home games I bet it Kc vs Seattle and NE vs Chicago

 

Mahomes  and Wilson have plenty of Star power. Jones and Fields are young guns. Non conference games. Big cities. To me that makes the most sense

[Malazan]

18 hours ago, Process said:

Bills vs Chiefs in Germany would be awesome considering it's an away game. But there is 0 chance NFL chooses that game, it's too big.

 

You want to sell the NFL overseas.. you're gonna have to really invest

[Purplebulldog]

2 hours ago, Realist said:

Under no circumstances will Bills Pats* or Bills Chiefs be going to Europe. Those will be 2 of the highest rated games of the year, no way the networks want either of those on a Sunday morning instead of primetime or at least 4 pm.

yep agreed . Daughter lives in Berlin so hoping next few years.  Think we have the NFC east in 2023 possibly then. 

[Albany,n.y.]

17 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Do they have a choice? Honest question. Because if the league wants to market the nfl in a new country they want to use stars. 

Considering the game is almost certainly going to be a Sunday night game, I can't see the NFL choosing to ship one of the biggest TV drawing games to Europe.  If the Chiefs are playing in Germany and losing a home game, it's likely either vs Jacksonville or Seattle (especially if Wilson is traded away) 

51 minutes ago, Malazan said:

 

You want to sell the NFL overseas.. you're gonna have to really invest

Not when they can get away sending a scrub team to Europe. 

[SoCal Deek]

8 minutes ago, Albany,n.y. said:

Considering the game is almost certainly going to be a Sunday night game, I can't see the NFL choosing to ship one of the biggest TV drawing games to Europe.  If the Chiefs are playing in Germany and losing a home game, it's likely either vs Jacksonville or Seattle (especially if Wilson is traded away) 

Not when they can get away sending a scrub team to Europe. 

I went to the Bills game at Wembley. It was PACKED! And....a ton of fun. Not sure where all this Debbie Downer stuff comes from.

[Malazan]

16 minutes ago, Albany,n.y. said:

Not when they can get away sending a scrub team to Europe. 

 

They can get away with it, sure.. we're talking about trying to make the NFL a thing over there and that's not gonna happen with a couple scrub teams once a year. Sending a scrub game over there gets them what they have now. They sell out, it's a novelty. If that's the goal then sure they can 'get away with it', but their goal seems to be more than that. 

[Albany,n.y.]

9 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

I went to the Bills game at Wembley. It was PACKED! And....a ton of fun. Not sure where all this Debbie Downer stuff comes from.

What Debbie Downer stuff?  When the Bills were at Wembley they weren't very good & the place was still packed.  That's my point: The NFL is not taking one of the top 5 games of the season & shipping it to Europe when the TV audience will be one of the top rated games of the season.  

1 minute ago, Malazan said:

 

They can get away with it, sure.. we're talking about trying to make the NFL a thing over there and that's not gonna happen with a couple scrub teams once a year. Sending a scrub game over there gets them what they have now. They sell out, it's a novelty. If that's the goal then sure they can 'get away with it', but their goal seems to be more than that. 

Does it?  The logistics of putting a team in Europe are difficult at best.  So what's their goal other than to get more fans interested & sell some merchandise?  They don't need to send one of the top games of the year over there & they won't.  Bills at Chiefs will either be Sunday night or Thanksgiving night.   

[Nextmanup]

1 hour ago, Malazan said:

 

You want to sell the NFL overseas.. you're gonna have to really invest

Current interest in the NFL in Germany is much less than this board's interest in the Budesliga, if that helps put things in perspective.

Of course, that is precisely what the NFL is trying to change.

 

But man, that's a long road to hoe.

 

Gary Bettman has been ruining NHL hockey for 30 years trying to make the sport appeal to those who do not care about it, while at the same time ruining it for those who do.

 

I fear the NFL could go down a similar path.

 

 

[Coffeesforclosers]

3 hours ago, dpberr said:

The NFL keeps trying to make NFL Europe a thing on the cheap.  

 

IMO, the OG NFL Europe that was in operation from 1991-2007 would have been more financially successful if they kept all the teams in Germany.  The Germans enjoyed NFL Europe and watched the games and grew real fan bases.  

 

The NFL will always pick breaking into the markets they want over developing the markets they have.  

[BuffaloMatt]

I know noszing . . .Better ask Hogan

[Nextmanup]

5 minutes ago, Coffeesforclosers said:

 

The NFL will always pick breaking into the markets they want over developing the markets they have.  

You would think they would go after China!  Can you fathom the money to be made over there if you convinced all 1.4 billion Chinamen to love American football?

 

As Bud Fox asked Gordon Gecko in "Wall Street," "How many yachts can you waterski behind?"

 

🤔

 

[without a drought]

Just  don't mention  the war.

[Chandler#81]

Yawol! Ze Bills unt ze Patiots! Vunzabah!

[sherpa]

I would be in if the Bills played in Munich, unless it was during Oktoberfest, which is a mess

I've been there quite a few times, and took the Mrs. there a couple times as part of vacations that included other spots..

 

I imagine the Germans are smart enough to not schedule an NFL game in Munich during Oktoberfest.

I cannot imagine the synergy of Oktoberfest with Bills fans.

No survivors

 

 

 

 

[Jerome007]

Since there are 17 games now, all teams could play one "neutral area" per year, and yet keep 8 home and 8 away games.

 

Many US cities without a NFL team, Canada, Europe...

[Greg S]

12 minutes ago, sherpa said:

I would be in if the Bills played in Munich, unless it was during Oktoberfest, which is a mess

I've been there quite a few times, and took the Mrs. there a couple times as part of vacations that included other spots..

 

I imagine the Germans are smart enough to not schedule an NFL game in Munich during Oktoberfest.

I cannot imagine the synergy of Oktoberfest with Bills fans.

No survivors

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dpberr]

2 hours ago, Coffeesforclosers said:

 

The NFL will always pick breaking into the markets they want over developing the markets they have.  

That's because of highly paid consultants, who earn money from doing deals,  telling them England is so incredible. 

 

Khan (the Jaguars owner) isn't stupid, he isn't moving the Jaguars to London without income guarantees from the NFL, and the NFL isn't stupid because they know they will pay out the nose to put a franchise in England, so they will wait for a sucker to come along and try to do it that isn't bright enough to ask for that, however unlikely, as it violates the first rule of being rich - never spend your own money.

 

England was, and remains a terrible developmental market for the NFL.  

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

Buffalo Wilhelms 

[BritBill]

On 2/9/2022 at 11:39 PM, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea. We care plenty. The London games sell out in minutes. The German games will do the same. 

 

I have been to Germany a bunch but I have never been to Munich. If its the Bills I am going.

 

If it's the Bills I'll walk there.

 

Germany is awesome. I've only just finished paying for the World Cup in 2006 so would love an excuse to get back over there. I didn't get to Munich in '06 so would be a first for me too. 

[DrPJax]

On 2/9/2022 at 5:39 PM, coloradobillsfan said:

why do we keep trying to cram NFL football down European throats?  THEY DON'T CARE

There’s always the possibility of a new Covid Variant breaking out while the Pats or chiefs are in Germany and maybe they won’t be allowed to return home until they are sadly  forced to forfeit several games!  Gee , I would hate to even consider such a bad break for those fan bases considering they have had such limited exposure to joy and success in recent times!   They could be ambassadors helping the German people learn about how to develop a culture where character comes first to apply to their World Cup soccer team!   We can’t be selfish and just keep the secrets to greatness in the states!   😉😊😇.  The NFL; we care! 

[Punching Bag]

37 minutes ago, DrPJax said:

There’s always the possibility of a new Covid Variant breaking out while the Pats or chiefs are in Germany and maybe they won’t be allowed to return home until they are sadly  forced to forfeit several games!  Gee , I would hate to even consider such a bad break for those fan bases considering they have had such limited exposure to joy and success in recent times!   They could be ambassadors helping the German people learn about how to develop a culture where character comes first to apply to their World Cup soccer team!   We can’t be selfish and just keep the secrets to greatness in the states!   😉😊😇.  The NFL; we care! 

 

 

You got to be kidding?  NFL would change the rule so the two teams over there would just play each other each week.

Look what they did for the sacred cow the Titans constantly moving schedule when their facility was considered infected with players saying they did not want to play there.  It reminded me of scene in Space Jam.   Game should have been moved to neutral location like Bills game was in snowstorm which would have stopped outdoor OR dome game.

[T master]

Good keep our team the Bills at home let them in Europe watch their football that they think is so great the NFL is a American game lets keep it in America !! 

[BritBill]

11 minutes ago, T master said:

Good keep our team the Bills at home let them in Europe watch their football that they think is so great the NFL is a American game lets keep it in America !! 

 

That might be the greatest one sentence paragraph I've ever seen written. 

[T master]

10 hours ago, BritBill said:

 

That might be the greatest one sentence paragraph I've ever seen written. 

 

I heard on 1 Bills live that the NFL is planning 5 games next year in Europe 3 in Germany 1 in the UK & 1 in Mexico i will not be watching any of them even if it is the Bills & especially if it's a home game !! They got their football have it !! 

 

I had also heard something to the effect that there was talks of the NFL one day getting up to 40 teams man they are going to ruin a really good thing I would imagine that some of those teams were projected to be out of the country man i hope this doesn't happen !!

 

This league is the best of the best & if you start getting to many teams out there the play may have to suffer because i don't know that there are that many excellent players to go around . If they do have that many teams there will be so many games during 1 week it will saturate the fans & i feel drive them away I hope this is just a pipe dream ...

[machine gun kelly]

They’ll send the Cowgirls ther e with the whole americas team thing.  
 

they’d never do the KC buff game there.  They want the KC drama.

[Ray Stonada]

A surprising number of people love football in Germany. They have their own pro league, too. (Not talking about soccer.) The games will sell out instantly and by then the pandemic might not be a huge issue. 
 

You gotta be careful with those big beers. They taste better than Coors but they’re not over-the-top flavored like some Pumpkin Latte IPA type stuff. Easy to drink. But three of those equals 100 ounces.

[machine gun kelly]

Sounds like you have experience Ray.  I know my workout buddy and best friend for 18 years was an NFL Europe guy in Germany in the 1990’s.  He explained how insane Germans are on the NFL.

[Rick 'r Mortis]

Yea, this lines up with the NATIONAL Football League.

[BillsfaninChicago]

That would be awesome because I will go if that is the case!

[GunnerBill]

Just some numbers about the UK position for the "Europe will never embrace the NFL" crowd.

 

- The NFL has the fastest growing TV viewership of any sport in the UK and was up 34% in the 2020 season (numbers for 2021 not yet available).

 

- Game Pass International subscriptions in the UK up 20% in the last year.

 

- Digital engagement (social media and UK visits to the NFL websites) up 54% in the last year. 

 

Is it ever going to be as popular in the UK as soccer, rugby or cricket? No it won't. But the NFL is having success in the market, there is no question about it. The one thing I would say is it is more of a London phenomenon more than a UK wide one. I do come across fans when I am elsewhere in the country but London is where the cut through has really happened (though that is not a bad thing as about 14% of our population live in the greater London area). The number of emails I have had this week from bars and clubs who are holding Superbowl events (which requires them applying for a special late license to do so, which costs money and therefore means they must be confident of filling up to make that back) is at a record high. 

 

 

 

Edited February 12, 2022 by GunnerBill

[Nelius]

Think I may go as well if this happens. Frankfurt airport is so easy. Grab a train and have fun.

[Doc Brown]

1 hour ago, Rick 'r Mortis said:

Yea, this lines up with the NATIONAL Football League.

NBA and NHL don't quite live up to their name either.

 

8 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

They’ll send the Cowgirls ther e with the whole americas team thing.  
 

they’d never do the KC buff game there.  They want the KC drama.

Agree.  The networks are pry already fighting over that game and it won't be any earlier than a 4:15 game (10:30pm) Germany time.

Edited February 12, 2022 by Doc Brown

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

If things heat up in Ukraine, Bills might be in Germany as reservists...😳

*
😁

[T master]

13 hours ago, T master said:

 

I heard on 1 Bills live that the NFL is planning 5 games next year in Europe 3 in Germany 1 in the UK & 1 in Mexico i will not be watching any of them even if it is the Bills & especially if it's a home game !! They got their football have it !! 

 

I had also heard something to the effect that there was talks of the NFL one day getting up to 40 teams man they are going to ruin a really good thing I would imagine that some of those teams were projected to be out of the country man i hope this doesn't happen !!

 

This league is the best of the best & if you start getting to many teams out there the play may have to suffer because i don't know that there are that many excellent players to go around . If they do have that many teams there will be so many games during 1 week it will saturate the fans & i feel drive them away I hope this is just a pipe dream ...

 

I have to change this it's 3 games in the UK & 1 In Munich Germany 1 In mexico .

[SirAndrew]

I never worried about Europe embracing the NFL. I’m sure enough Europeans enjoy football to buy tickets for the occasional oversees game. I’m happy for them to see live NFL action. My concern is the money grab nature of it. It’s great for European fans, but completely ignores player safety, quality of play, and maintaining an equal playing field. Sending teams to Europe during the regular season while adding an extra week of play does nothing to increase quality of play. There will be a mass exodus of fans over the next several decades if they destroy the on field product with money grabs. Money is great, but the lust for more can also destroy a good thing.

Edited February 12, 2022 by SirAndrew

[Buffalo Barbarian]

On 2/9/2022 at 4:52 PM, YoloinOhio said:

This has been hinted at a lot by the media even though they keep saying they don’t know anything. I won’t be surprised. 

 

 

Why the Panthers, they're trash ?

 

 

[Freak-O]

20 hours ago, T master said:

 

I heard on 1 Bills live that the NFL is planning 5 games next year in Europe 3 in Germany 1 in the UK & 1 in Mexico i will not be watching any of them even if it is the Bills & especially if it's a home game !! They got their football have it !! 

 

I had also heard something to the effect that there was talks of the NFL one day getting up to 40 teams man they are going to ruin a really good thing I would imagine that some of those teams were projected to be out of the country man i hope this doesn't happen !!

 

This league is the best of the best & if you start getting to many teams out there the play may have to suffer because i don't know that there are that many excellent players to go around . If they do have that many teams there will be so many games during 1 week it will saturate the fans & i feel drive them away I hope this is just a pipe dream ...

Maybe they should reduce the number of teams then, since there aren’t enough good QB’s for all the teams? A 16 team league maybe? Or no, 8 would probably be even better. Only the best of the best of the players. But no foreigners!!

[GunnerBill]

6 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

I never worried about Europe embracing the NFL. I’m sure enough Europeans enjoy football to buy tickets for the occasional oversees game. I’m happy for them to see live NFL action. My concern is the money grab nature of it. It’s great for European fans, but completely ignores player safety, quality of play, and maintaining an equal playing field. Sending teams to Europe during the regular season while adding an extra week of play does nothing to increase quality of play. There will be a mass exodus of fans over the next several decades if they destroy the on field product with money grabs. Money is great, but the lust for more can also destroy a good thing.

 

My response to this would be there is no evidence that it risks player safety. Sure, the players would likely rather not have a trans atlantic flight but there is no actual evidence that it makes them more susceptible to injury. On the equal playing field.... I'd just say the NFL already wasn't that. Schedules are not close to equal year to year. The best 6 (now 7) teams don't always make the playoffs because you can get a team that makes it in on a powder puff schedule. Yes taking a home game away from some doesn't help but it doesn't break an otherwise perfect system either. 

 

On extending the season (and for that matter the playoffs) that is a different issue. The intertnational games are not the reason that the season was extended. 

[SirAndrew]

15 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

My response to this would be there is no evidence that it risks player safety. Sure, the players would likely rather not have a trans atlantic flight but there is no actual evidence that it makes them more susceptible to injury. On the equal playing field.... I'd just say the NFL already wasn't that. Schedules are not close to equal year to year. The best 6 (now 7) teams don't always make the playoffs because you can get a team that makes it in on a powder puff schedule. Yes taking a home game away from some doesn't help but it doesn't break an otherwise perfect system either. 

 

On extending the season (and for that matter the playoffs) that is a different issue. The intertnational games are not the reason that the season was extended. 

You make valid points. There’s no way to prove these games hurt player health. I can’t make an argument on that either way. I just believe that travel must have a huge impact on teams. You’re correct in saying that league scheduling has never been equal, but asking a select group of teams to travel overseas seems like a disadvantage. I’m viewing this from a personal prospective. Travel can be tough on the body, especially when it involves major time zone changes. I’d assume there’s some recovery time involved that could impact the next game.
 

The NFL is unique in its short season, making rest, recovery, and staying on schedule more important. I wouldn’t make this argument for other major sports. Don’t be mistaken, I’m not even advocating for an end to these games, I’m just questioning where they’re going with this. The idea of an NFL team in Europe is a bit ambitious, if the league claims players matter. There are valid player related reasons not to put a team overseas.