How about a Blockbuster season opener played in the US?

[Valve Bounce]

I have been watching NFL for many years while overseas and also in the past two weeks. The play is stop-start, and very technical. Then I got to thinking, how would a blockbuster AFL game go as a season opener? A game between Collingwood and Carlton one week before everyone else plays, then these two teams get a two week break on return to Oz for their next game.

Surely there are sufficient Aussi-expats in the US to easily fill a stadium. Naturally, VB, XXXX and other Aussi beers would be available along with Four 'N Twenty pies.

So! what do you guys think of this idea?

 

[Danog]

Would struggle to get 10,000 people there.

 

[ScallyWag1]

Would struggle to get 10,000 people there.

agreed, but it'd be great if they could somehow pull it off

 

[DidakDelight]

Why not.
Look how successful the NFL was in London.

I'd fly up for it.

I seriously doubt theyd fill a stadium though.
Maybe play it on a friday night at a University and give a lot of the tickets away

 

[JUBJUB]

Surely there are sufficient Aussi-expats in the US to easily fill a stadium. Naturally, VB, XXXX and other Aussi beers would be available along with Four 'N Twenty pies.

Not likely with the AFL.They'd only allow Carlton Draught products.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Why not.
Look how successful the NFL was in London.

I'd fly up for it.

I seriously doubt theyd fill a stadium though.
Maybe play it on a friday night at a University and give a lot of the tickets away

Great idea. That has merit

 

[Tranquilli37]

Yeah, im not too confident it would work too well either. Interesting concept though.

 

[Chander Bing]

Tell em you are dreamin’.

 

[Riggy1]

Would struggle to get 10,000 people there.

we got about 15,000 to a Sydney vs Kangaroos game a few years back (about 06) for an offseason match in G'Day USA week (or something like that)

 

[Riggy1]

I have been watching NFL for many years while overseas and also in the past two weeks. The play is stop-start, and very technical. Then I got to thinking, how would a blockbuster AFL game go as a season opener? A game between Collingwood and Carlton one week before everyone else plays, then these two teams get a two week break on return to Oz for their next game.

Surely there are sufficient Aussi-expats in the US to easily fill a stadium. Naturally, VB, XXXX and other Aussi beers would be available along with Four 'N Twenty pies.

So! what do you guys think of this idea?

they wouldnt have a blockbuster game there
it would be a nothing match (any 5 of Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Melbourne or North Melbourne playing)

I like the idea, BUT I just cant see us doing it

 

[Flawed Genius]

I would love to see it happen.

Maybe not a season opener though.

 

[Last Line Hero]

Worst idea on BigFooty that I've heard.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

WOuld be a PR disaster.

I watched the 09 grand final at a Seattle pub and had to beg for the bartender to show the game. Nobody even bothered to watch a second of it.
The AFL has a ton of work to do to raise interest in the US.
The locals know jack shite about Aussie Rules, and it's quite pathetic.

 

[SJ]

Would struggle to get 10,000 people there.

How many ovals in the US would even have a 10,000 capacity?

 

[JeffDunne]

Why on earth would you need a so-called 'blockbuster' for such an event?

NFL games in London have been a success because of the existing market for NFL in the UK. Not sure the same could be said of Aussie Rules in the US.

If the game was played on the East Coast in prime time it would be on here mid morning (at best). If it was an afternoon game it would be on in the early hours of the morning. Would not only be a disaster in covering the costs from an attendence perspective, it would be a disaster for any TV network here.

Can't see it happening any time soon.

 

[JA27]

i dont think it would need to be a season opener or any of the blockbuster matches, but have an international round the week before the mid season break.

have one match each in ireland, england, south africa, new zealand, china & japan and two in the united states at NY and LA.

 

[winty]

Why on earth would you need a so-called 'blockbuster' for such an event?

NFL games in London have been a success because of the existing market for NFL in the UK. Not sure the same could be said of Aussie Rules in the US.

If the game was played on the East Coast in prime time it would be on here mid morning (at best). If it was an afternoon game it would be on in the early hours of the morning. Would not only be a disaster in covering the costs from an attendence perspective, it would be a disaster for any TV network here.

Can't see it happening any time soon.

Depends who was televising it down here. If it was 7, it'd probably be on at 3pm the next day here so it could lead into the news.

 

[pacemaker]

LOL no. The north Melbourne idea of playing a home game at subi was rejected, maybe they can play a home game in New York??? in round 13 or 14?

 

[The Swert]

They last played an exhibition game in the US in 2006 at the University of California in LA between North and Sydney. It was a sell-out with 3,600 people.

Toronto might fair better, they got 24,000 to an exhibition game there in 1989 and their stadium is rounder and bigger.

 

[kosifantutti]

Why not.
Look how successful the NFL was in London.

Two NFL games shown live in prime time Sunday evening in the UK not to mention the number of US expats in the UK and nearby.

 

[shoe]

Where would they play it? Surely there would be little to no grounds the right size/shape, and any that DO exist would be poor quality..

 

[brucetiki]

Maybe not a premiership game but maybe continue with NAB cup games being played O/S. Pity the game in South Africa didn't eventuate this year, but with the right clubs and the right marketing, it could work.

If not the US, try South Africa again, or the UK/Ireland, or India

 

[The Riddler]

Probably better off trying to have one in the UK instead.

 

[Dont be a lemon]

Probably better off trying to have one in the UK instead.

That's what I was thinking. But I don't think it would work for television purposes. In March the UK is 11 hours behind AEDT. So even if the match started at midday it would be 11pm here.

Asia would work for TV.

But is there really any money to be made out of having premiership matches played overseas?

 

[Dont be a lemon]

Look how successful the NFL was in London

The NFL in Britain is FAR more popular than the AFL in America is.