Saturday, 24 October 2009

London seven: Globalization of NFL is good, and bad


New England Old England samples on Sunday as the NFL's ever increasing foray into international markets continues with the latest game in London. Patriots Tampa Bay Brita get, meaning they'll look the greatest that American football has to offer, other than the Buccaneers.
I preferred it when the NFL confined its globe trotting to preseason games, but the seal forever broke in 2005 when Mexico City hosted the first regular season game outside the U.S. Pats Bucs will mark the third straight year for a real game -- really, closer to surreal -- at London's Wembley Stadium. Then later this year the Bills will play their second annual game in Toronto, with at least three more years to follow.
It has only just begun.
The NFL's expand-the-product enterprise has identified five "priority markets'' as Canada, China, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The London game will become more than just an annual novelty.
"We are going to continue to follow that and fuel that,'' NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We are considering playing multiple games in London as early as next year.'' He also acknowledges "dialogue'' to play a game in Africa, most likely in Nigeria, and calls future expansion franchises abroad "in the realm of possibility.''
This may be jingoism, but I'd like to keep the NFL an American league that plays in America. Some 240 countries get games or highlights on TV; isn't that enough?
As 2007 Goodell even as currently said "we'll be looking at'' a possible Super Bowl in London. He has since backtracked due to the backlash, but has never obviously ruled it out. He should, without prevarication.
Moving America's "national holiday'' abroad will be the Litmus test for when the NFL has irrevocably gone too far with its globalization.
Football gradually but inexorably surpassed baseball as America's Pastime. The sport will begin to relinquish that crown, by degrees, when the NFL gets too close to standing for National Foreign League.

Friday, 9 October 2009

Rush for IRB Sevens tickets

The increasing popularity of International Sevens is very much in evidence with the huge rush for tickets for this season’s IRB World Sevens Sevens. With the sport on the cusp of Olympic inclusion the sport’s profile is increasing rapidly with more interest than ever before.

London Sevens Tickets for the 2010 NZI Sevens in Wellington (5-6 February) sold out online in just three minutes yesterday.


All of the tickets made available for public purchase to the third event on the IRB Sevens World Series were snapped up in the new record time, a significant improvement on last year's mark of 10 minutes.



Inevitably, many fans will be disappointed at not securing tickets for the event with demand far outstripping supply, but organisers are confident that large numbers will still travel to New Zealand's capital to sample the unique atmosphere fostered by the giant event.



"Although tickets may have sold out this morning, we hope fans will see there are still a number of ways to embrace the 2010 NZI Sevens," said NZI Sevens General Manager Steve Walters.



"It's a great tribute to the tournament that fans continue to love the great sports and entertainment event we have here in Wellington," added Walters.



"The 2009 tournament showed many fans will venture into Wellington even without a ticket. With the street parade, big screens in the city centre and many events going on, visitors and Wellingtonians continue to embrace the excitement and atmosphere that the event creates."
Tickets have also gone on sale for the first two legs of the Series, the Dubai Sevens (3-5 December) and George Sevens (12-13 December) respectively. The Dubai organisers are expecting another a surge for tickets to match the 130,000 fans that packed into The Sevens, for the three-day event.



Defending Dubai Sevens champions are South Africa, with their win in the desert paving the way for their inaugural IRB World Sevens Series title. Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu is full of praise for the event believing Dubai has been very influential in pushing Seven’s Olympic aspirations.



"I think Dubai has been instrumental in the whole marketing campaign to show them that," said Treu.



"Hurry up and make sure that you get your tickets because they're going to fly. The Dubai Sevens is really going to be massive this year, especially once Sevens becomes an Olympic sport next month."



The first 5,000 main stand tickets have gone on sale for the second leg of the 2009/10 Series, the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens at Outeniqua Park in George on 11-12 December.
Treu will be hoping to enjoy more success in his home town, having guided the hosts to their first title on home soil.



"This tournament has grown so much in stature as a premier international event on the SA sporting calendar and I would urge rugby fans to book their tickets early so that they can avoid any disappointment," said Khaya Mayedwa, SA Rugby's Commercial Manager.



"We are expecting a bumper turnout in George because of the huge amount of interest in Sevens rugby in our country at the moment.

Buy London Sevens Tickets online or call us at 02074030962.