A View from NFL Europe: Does the NFL like the AFL Better?
Lee Zakow
Tuesday July 31, 2001
During World Bowl Week, every fan I talked to was worried about one thing: What is going on with NFL Europe especially considering the investment the NFL made in Arena ball? Well, let’s say this. While everyone who is going to be at the Arena Bowl won’t be as concerned with NFL Europe (but might be so with the NFL), the question is, what is going to happen to both leagues in the future?
I say, relax. Gee I’ve been wrong before though (please don’t look at my portfolio), but I kinda feel strongly about this one. Firstly, let’s consider the NFL E v. AFL thing. People in Europe are genuinely afraid that the NFL will pull the plug on NFL E because of the AFL. No way. Ain’t gonna happen. If it pulls the plug on NFL E it will be for other reasons. Why? As the AFL has said all along and fans, you agree with this, the AFL player and NFL player are slightly different. This is not to say that many players couldn’t make the crossover and play. Far from it. The AFL puts a premium on speed and mobility, and sometimes that comes in a smaller package.
The question: could Drew Bledsoe play in the AFL? Yes and no. He’d probably be hammered because he stands like a statue. On the other hand, you could see a Kordell Stewart causing major problems for a defense. Or to bring it to NFL E terms, Spergeon Wynn (Amsterdam and Cleveland) might not make it in the league despite his rocket arm, but Jarious Jackson would. Jackson was so efficient of a running QB at one point this year (before fading I may add), that Barcelona coach Jack Bicknell put the option in for him.
But the NFL allocating Wynn to, say, the Florida Bobcats? Why? His game action would not necessarily prepare him for backing up Tim Couch this year. While Barcelona’s Trevor Insley may have had a bang up year wherever he played, and would probably be a star in the Arena League, his fellow WR Tony Simmons of the Patriots wouldn’t. Simmons needed to polish every facet of his game. Insley needed to make a point with his natural talent.
If you talk to several of the owners, they see the Arena league as the way to diversify their portfolios – new revenue streams, new fans, the ability to keep football on the mind into the spring and summer (because NFL Europe is hardly shown here in the States). Jerry Jones is trying to build a football-entertainment empire. Tom Benson sees the ability to offset the Saints horrible revenue streams because of the new arena that was built there. Wayne Weaver, Robert Kraft and Al Lerner probably looked at the demographics and saw a growth sport in a maturing industry. The NFL taking over? Doubtful. Anti-trust is a scary word at 280 Park Avenue. Abandon Europe? Only if revenue streams fall rapidly and pinch the NFL’s cash flow. Having international egg on their collective faces while the NBA and NHL grow overseas isn’t an option.
My advice? Sit back and enjoy the game. Nothing is going to happen.
Lee Zakow was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
