2009 World Baseball Classic

I strongly believe over the next couple decades we will see the three major American sports globalize in some significant fashion. The declining dollar and caps in Basketball and Football make Europe an intriguing destination for American athletes. Lebron from what I've heard was offered 50mil for 1 year!?!?! I haven't followed it closely being on vacation last week but I can say it doesn't surprise me. Hoops and football already have deep roots in Europe, and they can dish out more coin.

Travel is going to be a b!tch. Hoops and football actually can do it however. Baseball is another issue. I see the WBC becoming very successful and baseball is going to have a tough time as I can see other countries offering big dollar for American players. Already owners don't like the idea of their talent playing in the WBC and risking injury. As the other games go global...baseball will have to fight through some tough decisions.

Lebron said it would TAKE $50 mil to lure him to Europe. And then Kobe parroted him, because lord knows, we MUST talk about Kobe or he'll just die. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by dickay

I strongly believe over the next couple decades we will see the three major American sports globalize in some significant fashion. The declining dollar and caps in Basketball and Football make Europe an intriguing destination for American athletes. Lebron from what I've heard was offered 50mil for 1 year!?!?! I haven't followed it closely being on vacation last week but I can say it doesn't surprise me. Hoops and football already have deep roots in Europe, and they can dish out more coin.

Travel is going to be a b!tch. Hoops and football actually can do it however. Baseball is another issue. I see the WBC becoming very successful and baseball is going to have a tough time as I can see other countries offering big dollar for American players. Already owners don't like the idea of their talent playing in the WBC and risking injury. As the other games go global...baseball will have to fight through some tough decisions.

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Your analysis is interesting - some sports would work in Europe (Basketball/hockey) whereas others are American (the continent not the country eg NFL/baseball


The way forward is that the 2 next expansion teams (if there are to be) should be in non US destinations to expand its globality

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Originally Posted by Arctic Blast

Lebron said it would TAKE $50 mil to lure him to Europe. And then Kobe parroted him, because lord knows, we MUST talk about Kobe or he'll just die. :rolleyes:

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lmao, seriously i laughed out loud at this.

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Originally Posted by FRENCHREDSOX

Your analysis is interesting - some sports would work in Europe (Basketball/hockey) whereas others are American (the continent not the country eg NFL/baseball


The way forward is that the 2 next expansion teams (if there are to be) should be in non US destinations to expand its globality

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curious why you don't think football would make it in europe? Travel is not a major issue being they only play once a week. I am not sure but I thought NFL Europe was doing 'OK' and the infusion of stars would have a 'Beckham' type effect drawing more and more of an audience. They'd have to not call it football though, futbol is a lifestyle there and i'd bet many disdain the game just because it's called football.

I dunno, just curious why you think it won't work?

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Originally Posted by dickay

curious why you don't think football would make it in europe? Travel is not a major issue being they only play once a week. I am not sure but I thought NFL Europe was doing 'OK' and the infusion of stars would have a 'Beckham' type effect drawing more and more of an audience. They'd have to not call it football though, futbol is a lifestyle there and i'd bet many disdain the game just because it's called football.

I dunno, just curious why you think it won't work?

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NFL Europe is gone.

It wouldn't work if we just threw it in. England has a loyal fan base but some other countries like Germany, France, Belgium, Italy don't like it as much.

NFL Europe fell becaus they were losing like 50+ Million a year

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Originally Posted by TheNamelessPoet

NFL Europe fell becaus they were losing like 50+ Million a year

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OK....i missed that headline lmao. I thought NFL Europe was doing OK.

I was WAY off... its says about 30 million a year... only 6 teams tho

heres the article

It was doing okay, then it started to falter. In the end, it was basically NFL Germany...I think 5 of the 6 teams were in Germany.