Since 2007, the NFL has hosted at least one game per in London in order to reach out to a wider audience much like the NBA has done, globally. L.A Rams and Arsenal Owner Stan Kroenke stated, “Over the next three years while we’re building the stadium, we will be in London or we will be in one of those international games,” he said. “It’s good for us because we’re in the Coliseum."(Klein,2016). Until the stadium in Inglewood is built in 2019 the Los Angeles Rams will host 7 homes games at the "Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum" (home of the USC Trojans) and either one "home" game in London or another location as a part of the NFL International Series. As mentioned earlier it is good for the NFL to expand its target audience as it has with London and Mexico City, which will host its first game this year. This brings in more revenues for the NFL and connects people worldwide. The NFL is trying to rebrand its image much like the NBA has done with the Euro League and Chinese League being highly competitive and popular overseas. However, in 2016 the NFL has opted AGAINST live streaming its London games and instead they will focus on live streaming every Thursday Night Football game. Not live streaming the International Series will be a test for the NFL this year. According to Reuters, "The league has been experimenting with live streaming games as more consumers are watching shows online and canceling their cable subscriptions. Last year, the NFL partnered with Yahoo to live stream a London game as part of an effort to gain more international viewers" (Reuters, 2016). With 800 million+ worldwide registered and non-registered Twitter Users, the NFL suffered a popularity hit by not providing free publicity of American Football to its growing international fan base. The NFL has not ruled out, live streaming its International Games in the future. The NFL has much interest in expanding its reach to the International Market fan base. As stated by Reuters, “The NFL was happy with the game on Yahoo last year and about one-third of that audience was international,” Ganis said. “There is an international market for these games” (Reuters, 2016). There is an established market waiting for the NFL to take advantage of the potential fan base and profitability. References: Klein, G. (2016, March 11). Rams to play international games the next three seasons - LA Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-los-angeles-rams-international-games-20160311-story.html Reuters. (2016, April 11). NFL Opts Against Live Stream of London Games Next Season. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2016/04/11/nfl-london-games-stream/
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AuthorMyles Jackson is from Cincinnati, OH. Where he grew up playing Baseball, Basketball and Football. Myles attended Tiffin University and played for the Tiffin Dragons as a middle infielder. Myles graduated from Tiffin in 2016 with a Bachelors in Sports Administration and is currently completing his Masters. Archives
June 2017
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