US 'should host Premier matches'

Weebull · 26 Oct 2007 at 11:20

West Ham non-executive chairman Eggert Magnusson says the Premier League should consider switching games to the USA to boost its global profile.

American football's NFL is hosting a competitive fixture at Wembley on Sunday and the Hammers chief says the Premier League should follow suit.

"I can see that happening sooner rather than later - it would be good for the game," said Magnusson.

...

American billionaire Stan Kroenke has a 12.2% stake in Arsenal, and believes that the financial incentives of breaking into the USA market will eventually force the Premier League to act.

"There is probably a good chance of getting a game to go over there because both owners could agree to it," he said.

"I think there is a reasonable chance it could take place in the future.

"If the Premier League agreed to it you would have it done. It's something that would have to evolve over time - it would be great if it could be Arsenal."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7063261.stm

Hahahahahahahahahaha.

JohnnyG · 26 Oct 2007 at 11:24

So no home advantage for either side and a rebate for season ticket holders then, unlikely

platypus · 26 Oct 2007 at 11:32

If the NFL can do it, which relies on huge supporter attendance, why can't the Premier League?

SoliD · 26 Oct 2007 at 11:50

What a joke, yes because the american market where football isnt exactly the biggest sport and only has 240mil population is the place to go, not the far east where the fan base is potentially 1 billion plus? will never happen.

Tombstone · 26 Oct 2007 at 11:56

I would be bloody annoyed if I couldnt watch Liverpool v Chelsea, or Man U v Arsenal live, because it was on at 5am our time due to it being in the US.

Psycho Ned · 26 Oct 2007 at 13:42

Can see this 100% happening in the next 5-10 years, if an NFL side is willing to give one of 8 home games a season up to make a few quid abroad then a premiership side with 20-30 home games a season depending on cup runs will definately be keen!!

The big teams are owned by Americans, Russians or Far Eastern businessmen these guys haven't bought premiership teams for their football history they've bought them to make mucho $$$$ if playing 1 or 2 league matches a season abroad will increase merchandise sales over there they'll do it.

Besides America is behind us time wise a 3pm kick off in New York would be an 8pm kick off here so not a problem, games in China and Japan would need to be a night match over there for a midday kick off over here.

cheets64 · 26 Oct 2007 at 13:46

What a knob, that's all these takeover ****s are doing is turning the premiership into a NFL style franchise, the premiership has already lost its true roots of football on saturdays at 3 pm and a pint to stupid kick off times and £4+ a pint.

Man U
Liverpool
Arsenal
Man C
Chelsea
Villa

etc. will start pushing for more money to be made from the fans.

Gilly · 26 Oct 2007 at 13:50

Psycho Ned said:
The big teams are owned by Americans, Russians or Far Eastern businessmen these guys haven't brought premiership teams for their football history they've brought them to make mucho $$$$ if playing 1 or 2 league matches a season abroad will increase merchandise sales over there they'll do it.

Where have they brought them?

Tunney · 26 Oct 2007 at 16:55

Send a few Carling Cup games over there. Hopefully the Americans won't know about the cup's reputation.

HangTime · 26 Oct 2007 at 17:49

Yeah, I was thinking that a Carling cup match would make the most sense given that:

1) It wouldn't affect the regular home/away cycle in the league
2) Guarenteed a result on the night (the yanks wouldn't tolerate a draw)
3) Attendances often aren't the best anyway

Obviously the whole concept is a bit outlandish to begin with, but if we had to send games over there I'd rather it was the CC as opposed to the league.

lumination · 26 Oct 2007 at 19:02

SoliD said:
What a joke, yes because the american market where football isnt exactly the biggest sport and only has 240mil population is the place to go, not the far east where the fan base is potentially 1 billion plus? will never happen.

You missed the point.

Rosbif · 26 Oct 2007 at 19:13

platypus said:
If the NFL can do it, which relies on huge supporter attendance, why can't the Premier League?

The question is why would you waste your time?

weringo · 26 Oct 2007 at 20:29

I don't think it's a bad idea tbh, I'm not sure how they would decide whos home/away though?

nft_99 · 26 Oct 2007 at 20:50

Tunney said:
Send a few Carling Cup games over there. Hopefully the Americans won't know about the cup's reputation.

Lets hope man utd dont go because they have american owners they could claim its a home game then make all season ticket holders buy tickets for the game :rolleyes:

Greenlizard0 · 26 Oct 2007 at 20:50

Bah, wish the yanks would leave football alone.

platty · 26 Oct 2007 at 21:23

Will happen eventually I fear. Think it was Hicks that hinted at it on SSN a few days ago. Been a rumour on united boards since Glazers took over.

At the end of the day theses investors want to make money. Apart from Roman who can afford to play around as much as he wants nearly.

Jokester · 26 Oct 2007 at 21:27

A few of the clubs might want it, but I can't see the Premier League agreeing to it at all.

Jokester

mark43 · 26 Oct 2007 at 21:51

Nothing has made me more angry today than this story. This must never happen and I cant think of a better reason to put a stop to all these foreign investors.

And whats this bit at the bottom of the article "People in the United Kingdom and London especially are really avid sports fans"? Why London epsecially, becuase its the only place in England this typical American has heard of?

platty · 26 Oct 2007 at 23:22

Jokester said:
A few of the clubs might want it, but I can't see the Premier League agreeing to it at all.

Jokester

Depends what $$$ incentives they can get out of it.

Diesel · 27 Oct 2007 at 12:58

What a ridiculous idea.

The NFL is pretty much a circus anyway, so taking it 'on tour' isn't really a problem.