Chinese Kickers Aim For The N.F.L.
March 3rd, 2007
Click here to read about and see it for yourself (scroll down and you can click on the video and watch it).
What is the NFL doing with an interest in China? Give me an “M”-”A”-”R”-”K”-”E”-”T”!!! What’s that spell? MARKET! MARKET! MARKET!! — New fans to replace the old ones in the US that don’t give a rip anymore about pro football and the girlie men players and owners with big egos that go with it!
Entry Filed under: Pre-Departure, Beijing, China, Misc.
4 Comments Add your own
1. China Law Blog | March 4th, 2007 at 7:45 am
They are also recruiting linemen from Eastern European weightlifters and wrestlers. I kid you not.
What happened to your post on Mann’s book? I can’t find it and I was about to link to it.
2. Chris Carr | March 4th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Hi Dan.
Thanks for touching base. I have not yet made a post on the Mann book. Still chewing over in my mind what I read, how to frame it and what to discuss. I had very briefly put up a post late last night relating to the Mann book, but placed it back into my draft folder as I decided it needed some more work. We might have crossed wires in cyberspace. If so, my apology. Check back soon!
3. Steven Rodger | March 5th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
The NFL’s idea to think they can pull average players is amazing and bizarre. If they’re able to pull it off and get some of these Chinese players into the NFL it will surely draw huge attention and be worth their while. Even if their players don’t make it to the NFL it sounds like enough publicity will occur to easily make up for the cost of training the Chinese athletes. With the dedication, perseverance and pressure behind most Chinese athletes, it will not be surprising if they go pro.
Since most NFL kickers are former soccer or rugby players, this marketing idea seems feasible. Additionally, there might be additional incentives from the NFL to push these players into the game prematurely as they are a potential gold mine for new NFL revenue. On the other hand, a Pro kicker carries huge responsibility and if they do not perform, the plan could backfire. This is a strange marketing plan by the NFL, as it seems they may upset US fans in the process.
The NFL has scheduled their first NFL game in China this August with the New England Patriots battling the Seattle Seahawks. They are scheduled to air the show in Chinese primetime television. The NFL hoping to create new growth the way the NBA has successfully done in China (with 347 million TV viewers this past season). Perhaps it would be easier for the NFL to find a Chinese Bo Jackson, or maybe they should just teach Yao Ming how to kick?
4. James Towers | March 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 pm
American Football isn’t the only sport trying to tap into the Chinese market. Just this year, Manchester United, the Yankees of soccer, became the first English club to sign a Chinese soccer player. Just last year, the club played exhibition matches in Beijing and Hong Kong.
Soccer is the largest viewed sport in China, but English soccer currently ranks behind Italian, German, and Chinese soccer in terms of viewership. Manchester Utd has is clearly trying to change that. I think it is safe to say that like American Football, we will probably seeing a lot more Chinese faces playing soccer around the world.
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