Premiership games internationally?

[Hustle]

Teams from the Premier League want to add an extra game to the schedule and play it internationally. FIFA is uncommittal; US Soccer boss says they'll follow the lead of whatever FIFA decides.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7232390.stm

I'm not a soccer guy, but I'm down with whatever teams they want to send to DC.

The idea of getting bidding cities, however, seems like a money grab.

 

[Fudgie the Whale]

The majority of England's TV audience is outside of England. Those games would sellout in an hour. Money-wise it's a great idea but I know the soccer teams' managers hate the idea.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

The majority of England's TV audience is outside of England. Those games would sellout in an hour. Money-wise it's a great idea but I know the soccer teams' managers hate the idea.

Only a game involving one of the Big Four - Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United - would sell out here. If Derby and Wigan were going at it in an NFL stadium there would be 10,000 people there - tops. A team like Spurs or Man City might be able to fill a half bowl, but no way would they touch 70,000.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

The majority of England's TV audience is outside of England. Those games would sellout in an hour. Money-wise it's a great idea but I know the soccer teams' managers hate the idea.

Only a game involving one of the Big Four - Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United - would sell out here. If Derby and Wigan were going at it in an NFL stadium there would be 10,000 people there - tops. A team like Spurs or Man City might be able to fill a half bowl, but no way would they touch 70,000.

What he said.

Now, if it's across the pond, I don't care what match I see. Over there, it's about the atmosphere as much as the soccer. But if it's over here, it's gotta be one of the big four.

 

[Webster]

You don't think that Sunderland-Reading would sell out the Rose Bowl?

 

[GB-Hack]

Not going to happen. International federations in the Far East have already said they won't allow it, since it would compete with the domestic leagues.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7243949.stm

FIFA will probably nix it as well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7237359.stm

 

[KoM]

The bigger down side to it is the 39th match more so than playing abroad, I think. What if, say, Manchester United and Arsenal are in a tight title race. One's extra match is against a top four or five club and the other gets to play a relegation bound side?

Everybody plays everybody twice, home and away. That's the purest way to decide any championship - in my opinion.

Plus, FIFA has been on England for years to cut the Premier League down to 18 teams to get the number of matches down, not add another.

 

[GB-Hack]

But, KoM, Italy and Spain, both of which used to have 18 teams in their premier leagues, have both expanded their top flights to 20 in recent years to mirror the Premier League.

This was one battle the Premier League won. FIFA has all but left them alone about reducing games.

 

[KoM]

I did not know that.
I only pay attention to Italy and Spain in the Champions League, and didn't realize the have added teams.

If they've gone to 20, maybe the Premier League will return to 22. There is hope for Scunthrope United yet!

 

[Football_Bat]

I hope this fails for the simple reason that the NFL won't get any crazy ideas about a Game 17.

Spussycathrope ... damn word filter doesn't miss a thing, does it?

 

[GB-Hack]

I did not know that.
I only pay attention to Italy and Spain in the Champions League, and didn't realize the have added teams.

If they've gone to 20, maybe the Premier League will return to 22. There is hope for Spussycathrope United yet!

Italy used to be really draconian. 18 in Serie A and four relegated/promoted each season. Since then everyone's settled on 20 as a good number for the top flight.

 

[KoM]

How the hell did that say whatever it says.

I'm pretty sure I typed Scurnthrope United.

Maybe I hit spell check and changed it or something???