Playing In London Next Season

[GoRavensNTerps]

Well, it was just announced that the Broncos will be playing the 49ers next season in London but there is talk that there could be another game. Would you be in favor of them playing in London?

[FerrariFan87]

I don't want them to play in London. Period.

[darklight1216]

Keep America's Game in the United States of America.

[Raven-In-ATL]

yeah if your going to play games in europe you need a european league. pullin teams from the states to play overseas is stupid. Either you have a market for a NFL Europe or you dont. Since there isnt one anymore i would say that you dont so let sleeping dogs lie.

[shaikh015]

IF Johny Unitas would have wanted it...Then I would want whats best for my team....

[McBurks]

Sure if it was before a bye week.

[mdrsharon]

In Brian Billick's book he talks about how much teams hate playing on those Thursday night games because it takes the team's schedule totally out of whack.
Playing across the pond would really throw things off for who knows how many weeks.
It is a bad idea.
His book is really good , though, he talks about the Ravens alot.

[ROH522155]

I wouldnt mind as long as it counts as one of our road games and doesnt take a game away from M&T Bank Stadium!

[McBurks]

[quote name='mdrsharon' date='15 January 2010 - 04:46 PM' timestamp='1263592015' post='341767']
In Brian Billick's book he talks about how much teams hate playing on those Thursday night games because it takes the team's schedule totally out of whack.
[b]Playing across the pond would really throw things off for who knows how many weeks.[/b]
It is a bad idea.
His book is really good , though, he talks about the Ravens alot.
[/quote]


The Giants played the Dolphins over there in 2007 and they went on and won the Superbowl.

[Raven-In-ATL]

[quote name='Simba' date='15 January 2010 - 04:58 PM' timestamp='1263592691' post='341781']
The Giants played the Dolphins over there in 2007 and they went on and won the Superbowl.
[/quote]


Clearly London is the new gateway to the Super Bowl

[Jamal]

No thanks. Ruins the teams rhythm, and I hate to see an NFL game played outside of America.

[ravensgirl20]

No I'm against it. I see no point in making them travel for no reason. If they had a team in the NFL then that would be a different story. What would the tv coverage for that game be like anyway?

[Ravnet]

You all who said no are crazy; playing in London would be great exposure.

As we've seen on this very message board over the past few days, there is a sizable international market out there, and considering that we are the best at a certain style of play, defense and grinding the ball out, playing a game in Britain would be the best possible advertisement for the Ravens.

The amount of pre-game hype and publicity before the contest is unbelievable, and this would be the best way to get our name and brand of football out there.

There would be ways to subvert a disruption to our rest, such as playing before/after a bye week, but I just think that the exposure for our franchise would override some lag for one game of one season.

[JohnJohnson]

Does it even sell out in London? How many fans are there? I guess it could be interesting for them to see the game, but I doubt they care that much.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' date='15 January 2010 - 06:04 PM' timestamp='1263596648' post='341822']
Does it even sell out in London? How many fans are there? I guess it could be interesting for them to see the game, but I doubt they care that much.
[/quote]

I guess this kind of ignorance is why there are so many votes against the game.

Wembley sells out in like five minutes, and football is popular enough that there are serious talks of a permanent team being established in London.

[Irishraven]

I've gone to the last 3 games in London and they have been spectacular events! Its nice for all the Ravens fans or general NFL fans who can't afford a trip to the states. I will be coming to Baltimore again next season but would love to get to see 2 games in one year!! WOW!

I can appreciate why Ravens fans that go to all the home game (and travel to away games) would be pi**ed but like someone else mentioned, it will grow the Ravens brand throughout Europe plus I'll get to meet a bunch of new fans who I can actually go to the bar and watch games with :0)

PS - if the Ravens do get to play I will be able to sort out cheaper accommodation in some nice London hotels!

[JohnJohnson]

[quote name='Ravnet' date='15 January 2010 - 07:07 PM' timestamp='1263596856' post='341826']
I guess this kind of ignorance is why there are so many votes against the game.

Wembley sells out in like five minutes, and football is popular enough that there are serious talks of a permanent team being established in London.
[/quote]

Asking a question is better than simply asserting something you have no idea about, like you just did. Thanks for your kind response to my question. I'm sure you get along well with people.

Regardless of what you may think, some here don't believe that it's worth it for "exposure," and it's not particularly enjoyable for the teams. It's the NFL, so it's about the money.

[DMT]

Screw that, they take a home game from a town that cares...I dont think so

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

95% of them don't understand the game even. Let them have their Soccer and tea time.

[Rinbee]

[quote name='Ravnet' date='15 January 2010 - 05:59 PM' timestamp='1263596378' post='341821']
You all who said no are crazy; playing in London would be great exposure.

As we've seen on this very message board over the past few days, there is a sizable international market out there, and considering that we are the best at a certain style of play, defense and grinding the ball out, playing a game in Britain would be the best possible advertisement for the Ravens.

The amount of pre-game hype and publicity before the contest is unbelievable, and this would be the best way to get our name and brand of football out there.

There would be ways to subvert a disruption to our rest, such as playing before/after a bye week, but I just think that the exposure for our franchise would override some lag for one game of one season.
[/quote]


Who cares about exposure. The Ravens get all of the exposure they need at every home game by loyal fans who shell out big bucks for the opporunity. I have no problem with exhibition games played in other places that do not impact the loyal, paying fans who would lose a home game. Playing international games and Thursday games is a gimick by Goodell to make money for the NFL without any regard for the teams or their fans. If England or Mexico want football, let them get their own league. As for Canada, they have their own version of football so leave our's alone.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Rinbee' date='15 January 2010 - 08:44 PM' timestamp='1263606281' post='341911']
Who cares about exposure. The Ravens get all of the exposure they need at every home game by loyal fans who shell out big bucks for the opporunity. I have no problem with exhibition games played in other places that do not impact the loyal, paying fans who would lose a home game. Playing international games and Thursday games is a gimick by Goodell to make money for the NFL without any regard for the teams or their fans. [/quote]

Exposure = more fans = more money. More money = the ability to build/keep up-to-date facilities like "The Castle" at Owings Mills, one of the best training grounds in the NFL which gives our players advantages over the competition.

Furthermore, money allows us to bring in the best coaching talent through overpaying and giving the best college coordinators or NFL position coaches offers they wouldn't be able to refuse.

I could list other benefits of having money like the Cowboys or Redskins, but you should get the point. I understand that those two franchises are not models of success, but their problem is that they're poorly managed, and we're well run.

Not only that, but having a larger fanbase like the Steelers raises the prestige of the franchise, which means something as being a fan is basically about bragging rights and taking pride in the history/state of your organization; an expansive group of followers also binds together fans as they feel that they're part of a "nation."

Obviously Goodell is looking to make money out of these games, but if we can benefit greatly from them, then why not partake?

[quote]If England or Mexico want football, let them get their own league. [/quote]

That is clearly not feasible for so many reasons.

[quote name='JohnJohnson' date='15 January 2010 - 06:04 PM' timestamp='1263596648' post='341822']
Does it even sell out in London? How many fans are there? I guess it could be interesting for them to see the game, but I doubt they care that much.
[/quote]

You're right, that was unnecessarily catty, but I feel like people are either a.) being selfish/ignorant about not "sharing" the game, and/or, most importantly, b.) overlooking the potential benefits for the future of our franchise for the pros/cons of one game in one season.

[MagicianCamille]

At first blush, I think it sounds fun. Let Europe get a taste of Ravens football.

After reading the thread, mainly Ravnet's posts, I think it's a great idea. Interesting way to think about it.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='BohBalmerOsbohs' date='15 January 2010 - 08:33 PM' timestamp='1263605589' post='341908']
95% of them don't understand the game even. Let them have their Soccer and tea time.
[/quote]

I don't understand the hostility for international fans. Ravens fans are Ravens fans, wherever they are.

If it was a game against the Lions and served as an away game for us, I'd love to show the Brits what smash mouth Ravens football is all about.

Let Dallas be "America's Team" (total junk) and the Ravens can be "Earth's Team".

[Irish Raven]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='15 January 2010 - 04:18 PM' timestamp='1263590328' post='341737']
Keep America's Game in the United States of America.
[/quote]

I've often wondered why Superbowl winners call themselves "World Champions" but they were the best in a national league
Bit of an offtopic comment, just something I've pondered

[Twoo]

If it cost the Ravens a home game I'd flip being I'm a PSL owner.

[rayrayven]

In 2009 the first 20,000 tickets to the game in Wembley sold out in 7 minutes (and game sold out). There are some big NFL fans there. I know some from my other forums. The only thing I didn't like about it was the field was a mess for the Giants game. Otherwise I think the game is ok. It's really not much further than going to Cali. Tokyo or Australia would be worse. I think the team that loves to play football has an advantage over a team that might get caught up in the sight seeing etc. The Giants players loved going over there.

[Alexir]

I love the idea of us playing in England. Maybe it's because I'm half English or maybe its the fact that I know there is a lot of Ravens fans there and our fan base will grow even more. I am laughing at all of you saying "keep America's game in America". Wow.....just wow.

[Alexir]

And besides Chelsea and Manchester United have come over to America to play soccer. I think they just need to do it differently. Like make it an away game for both teams and make who ever calls the coin toss the team with the best PF/PA ratio.

[PSU RAVEN]

[quote name='Ravnet' date='15 January 2010 - 05:59 PM' timestamp='1263596378' post='341821']
You all who said no are crazy; playing in London would be great exposure.
[/quote]

Let's remember how well we normally do on regular season prime time games??? not sure that is the advertising we need.
Though it depends who we play , but I see the equation as follows......

Primetime + overseas + black jerseys + regular season + playing against NFL pretty boy team (steelers, Pats or Indy)X referee bias = [b]Ravens implosion.[/b]

Primetime + overseas + purple or white jerseys + regular season + playing against random NFL team (Texans, Titans, Raiders, etc..)= [b]Ravens victory.
[/b]

[Irishraven]

[quote name='ravenz_fan' date='16 January 2010 - 02:16 PM' timestamp='1263651417' post='342029']
football is Americas game keep it here, it todays world with terroist and riots in other countries keep our guys safe at home
[/quote]

I'm not one to get into childish exchanges but come on, what are you talking about? Do you know how many Americans work and live in Europe? Do you know how many American companies have set up shop here in Dublin, Ireland? (Google, Amazon, Ebay, Facebook to name a few) There are Americans that I met in London last year (Raven's fans) who couldn't get back to see a game this year due to work & money - they were over the moon to see a game live in Wembley.

I have been to the states many times and have lots of friends there, I love it and would never say anything negative about your country. Please think before you post!