(02-12-2016 04:52 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  The NFL has mutually agreed with the CFL not to expand to Canada, as such a move would effectively kill off Canadian football, which is only slightly different than American gridiron football otherwise there'd be at least two teams north of the border.

As for Mexico City and StL., there's not enough disposable income and interest south of the border for a team long term, even in Mexico's equivalent to NYC. If Mexico wasn't so into futbol and indifferent toward football, I'd agree, otherwise you need interest to go along with raw numbers. St. Louis feels alienated by the NFL and they've lost two teams in 30 years. It's time for both parties to mutually part.

1. Then it seems like it's time to revisit that agreement.
2. That's exactly why you send a team down there. If they were already fans, then what would be the point? Also there's enough rich people in MC to more or less fill a stadium and there are enough poor people in Mexico to compensate for their wealth (or lack thereof). Wal-Mart, McD's, and countless other companies made a killing selling to the poor. Sure, they might only buy a T shirt/key chain/sticker/other piece of cheap junk here and there, but multiply that times the country of Mexico, and you have real value.

(02-12-2016 04:10 PM)MplsBison Wrote:  Nzm, St Louis is realistic. Jags moving there would give a proximate division rival to the Indy Colts.

Tell that to the team that just left :/

(02-12-2016 06:28 PM)nzmorange Wrote:  1. Then it seems like it's time to revisit that agreement.
2. That's exactly why you send a team down there. If they were already fans, then what would be the point? Also there's enough rich people in MC to more or less fill a stadium and there are enough poor people in Mexico to compensate for their wealth (or lack thereof). Wal-Mart, McD's, and countless other companies made a killing selling to the poor. Sure, they might only buy a T shirt/key chain/sticker/other piece of cheap junk here and there, but multiply that times the country of Mexico, and you have real value.

You need corporations buying tickets, suites, club seats and running promotions. You need families with disposable income to buy PSL's, single game tickets and season tickets. Heck, you need fans willing to walk up and buy tickets on game day if not sold out. That's one thing but you also need interest. More Mexicans grow up dreaming to play in the World Cup than Super Bowl, if they even know what that is.

I'm not saying it can't work, anytime you have the sheer numbers that MXC has, it's entirely possible but it wouldn't be a slam dunk, especially after the novelty wears off or if the team is no good. And what free agent or even draftee would want to play MXC? There would be no discounts, that's for certain and perhaps some revolts (google Steve Francis Rockets and Grizzlies).

(02-12-2016 09:45 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  

(02-12-2016 06:28 PM)nzmorange Wrote:  1. Then it seems like it's time to revisit that agreement.
2. That's exactly why you send a team down there. If they were already fans, then what would be the point? Also there's enough rich people in MC to more or less fill a stadium and there are enough poor people in Mexico to compensate for their wealth (or lack thereof). Wal-Mart, McD's, and countless other companies made a killing selling to the poor. Sure, they might only buy a T shirt/key chain/sticker/other piece of cheap junk here and there, but multiply that times the country of Mexico, and you have real value.

You need corporations buying tickets, suites, club seats and running promotions. You need families with disposable income to buy PSL's, single game tickets and season tickets. Heck, you need fans willing to walk up and buy tickets on game day if not sold out. That's one thing but you also need interest. More Mexicans grow up dreaming to play in the World Cup than Super Bowl, if they even know what that is.

I'm not saying it can't work, anytime you have the sheer numbers that MXC has, it's entirely possible but it wouldn't be a slam dunk, especially after the novelty wears off or if the team is no good. And what free agent or even draftee would want to play MXC? There would be no discounts, that's for certain and perhaps some revolts (google Steve Francis Rockets and Grizzlies).

1. My initial statement was "I'd buy two teams and move one ... to Mexico City as long term investments to grow the league." So yes, there isn't a already built-in fan base. That's entirely the point. If there's a team, then some of those kids that you described will grow up watching the Super Bowl and not the World Cup. That's value creation.

2. I'd imagine that ticket sales are minimal when compared to TV sales and merchandise sales. Still, Mexico City is HUGE and very rich. It looks poor because there is very little equality and its wealth is very, very concentrated, but the city has money and massive corporations.

3. You could make the "who wants to live there" argument for half the pro teams in existence. But to answer your question, Mexico City is probably a pretty decent place to live if you have enough money.

The wealth being concentrated is the problem (and as I said, interest beyond a novelty glance). Here in the US, there's a much larger middle class that has disposable income and even as big as MXC is, could you count on the general public to support a team? The rich corporations and government officials would do their part but how many do you have beyond them?

As for number 3, that is a significant question, from pay (pesos and taxes to dollars), culture and quality of life. Many players dread playing in Canada in the NBA (again, research Steve Francis), so why would they play in a foreign land with basically no natives to their culture and all of the headaches of doing so much commerce and reading en Espanol, even if many people know English?

As I said, I could see it working but it wouldn't be a slam dunk.

Mexico City is not as poor as you make it out to be C2. Yes because the city has 25 million people, it has more people people in it than any other in North America, but the GNP of Mexico City is somewhere between Atlanta and Washington DC. There are certainly obstacles, but in terms of international expansion, Mexico City is the best option for MLB and the NFL (if you assume Toronto is off the table unless the Bills move, or move there).

Which 4 CFL teams are most stable? If I'm the NFL: Buy the CFL, fold the 4 lesser teams, go to 6 divisions of 6.

(02-13-2016 03:36 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  Mexico City is not as poor as you make it out to be C2. Yes because the city has 25 million people, it has more people people in it than any other in North America, but the GNP of Mexico City is somewhere between Atlanta and Washington DC. There are certainly obstacles, but in terms of international expansion, Mexico City is the best option for MLB and the NFL (if you assume Toronto is off the table unless the Bills move, or move there).

I said I could see it working. It's not completely poor, I never said that but you need a combo of disposable income and interest. The disposable income is there, especially from the corporations and government, but you also need interest and the fact is that is about as a futbol driven place as any on the globe. Would they care beyond the novelty? That's the big question.

And certainly, as you mentioned, the MLB would work much better as the players/managers are much more relateable with so many of Latino origin.