NFL not coming to Australia

[DC_fan]

WE’VE had the Major League Baseball, the Olympics twice, Manchester United, Liverpool the rugby and cricket World Cups but sadly Australia will never get to host an NFL game.

Your correspondent put the question of a game in Sydney to Michael Signora, the NFL’s vice president of international football communications but got a short, sharp thumbs down.

Interestingly Destinations NSW boss John Hartigan is here in Phoenix, the major player in getting the MLB game to the Sydney Cricket Ground last year.

It won’t be happening with the NFL, although it won’t be from Hartigan’s lack of trying.

“We certainly appreciate the interest in the NFL from your country,” Signora said.

“Unfortunately, the travel distance and time zone changes are major barriers for us to schedule a regular-season game in Australia.

“Even a pre-season game would be incredibly challenging to arrange.

“We are not optimistic about playing a game there but will continue to serve NFL fans in Australia through our media platforms.”

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...g-game-to-sydney/story-fnj45km6-1227203428313

 

[shiznit]

The timezone actually isn't that big of a deal for American broadcasters.

As most UFC fans from down under know... You can actually do prime time USA down here.

They could easily open the season in Sydney... They usually do it on a Thursday evening... That would mean playing the game Friday midday to afternoon.

That's can be done IMO... Not easily done... But certainly can be done.

The most important thing is making sure the fit in with American TV...

 

[Parra]

We could handle the superbowl. 2 week break, primetime, premium price & attraction to come to Aus.

 

[DC_fan]

A kick off here in Sydney at around 12noon would mean a start at 8pm on the east coast of the US.

The game would have to be played here on a weekend to get a good crowd. You could play the game Saturday or Sunday our time which would mean a Friday or Saturday night game in the US.

Two problems I can see though. One being the heat if the game is played in November or December. The second being, I believe college football has the rights to football played and shown on TV on Friday and Saturday.

 

[T.S Quint]

If you had a team like Arizona or Miami they would be used to the heat.

 

[nick87]

God dammit.

 

[shiznit]

A kick off here in Sydney at around 12noon would mean a start at 8pm on the east coast of the US.

The game would have to be played here on a weekend to get a good crowd. You could play the game Saturday or Sunday our time which would mean a Friday or Saturday night game in the US.

Two problems I can see though. One being the heat if the game is played in November or December. The second being, I believe college football has the rights to football played and shown on TV on Friday and Saturday.

I think they could pack out a stadium on a Friday afternoon.

If you get a marquee couple of teams... Maybe the Cowboys vs Seahawks...

It would fly in the face of the NRL... But they could do a Sunday night football game on Labour Day... Which would be the day after the NRL grand final... Which would almost count Homebush out... Unless they do the most epic double header ever...

 

[DC_fan]

I think they could pack out a stadium on a Friday afternoon.

If you get a marquee couple of teams... Maybe the Cowboys vs Seahawks...

It would fly in the face of the NRL... But they could do a Sunday night football game on Labour Day... Which would be the day after the NRL grand final... Which would almost count Homebush out... Unless they do the most epic double header ever...

A late Friday afternoon game here in Sydney on a Friday would probably do very well here. The problem would be it would kick off near midnight in the US.

 

[legend]

Have the teams play who are leading up to a bye week so they have a two week break to recover from the long distance but they have to be either NFC or AFC west teams.

Broncos v Raiders or Broncos v Seahawks would be huge in Australia.