After the great triumph, a real punch to the gut

dougaiton · 10-21-2004, 05:27 PM

Talk about a way to spoil the one greatest sporting achievements of the century. Sure, the world series will start on Saturday, and it will all be forgotten, but until then, I might shed a few tears for a team I've supported since I saw their first game over 10 years ago.

Montreal, I feel your pain.

http://claymores.com/more.php?id=1036_0_1_0_M

PotatoPeeler · 10-21-2004, 05:31 PM

I can't believe the whole league hasn't been discontinued yet.

dougaiton · 10-21-2004, 05:33 PM

EDIT: Got overupset

marioh · 10-21-2004, 05:36 PM

Bummer.

But from the Claymore games I saw this past season, they weren't doing too well with packing fans into the stadium.
I'm just glad that American football is catching on in some parts of Europe. From the games I've seen, it seems to draw alot of fans in Germany. Then again, they could be luring people into the stadium with offers of free beer.

Erik W. · 10-21-2004, 05:38 PM

Sorry to hear that, Doug. It always sucks to lose a team. I went through it in St Louis with the football Cardinals, and now with the Expos. (/shrug, both happened shortly after I moved to those respective locations... pray I don't move to your town!)

Also sucks because in the Madden versions that have NFLE teams, I use the Claymores 90% of the time.

dougaiton · 10-21-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marioh

But from the Claymore games I saw this past season, they weren't doing too well with packing fans into the stadium.

I think it's misleading, to be honest. The Scottish Claymores are the third-best supported professional sports club in Scotland, a country of around 5 million. They draw over 11k, which is more than anyone outside the Old Firm. Thing is, they play in a 65k stadium. When we played in a 15k stadium, and every seat was full, it looked decidedly different.

American football had caught on in Scotland. NFLEurope decided to pull the plug in search of more money. To do that to us, despite the fact we a) turned a 'real' profit and b) outdrew Amsterdam every year of our existence, was ridiculous.

I remember 35k in Murrayfield for the World Bowl. It's a shame - last year they removed the advertising budget compeltely from the Claymores.

marioh · 10-21-2004, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougaiton

I think it's misleading, to be honest. The Scottish Claymores are the third-best supported professional sports club in Scotland, a country of around 5 million. They draw over 11k, which is more than anyone outside the Old Firm. Thing is, they play in a 65k stadium. When we played in a 15k stadium, and every seat was full, it looked decidedly different.

American football had caught on in Scotland. NFLEurope decided to pull the plug in search of more money. To do that to us, despite the fact we a) turned a 'real' profit and b) outdrew Amsterdam every year of our existence, was ridiculous.

I remember 35k in Murrayfield for the World Bowl. It's a shame - last year they removed the advertising budget compeltely from the Claymores.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. It's a shame that the NFL is going for the dollars, at the expense of the fans. Especially after building up that fan base.

Skipaway · 10-21-2004, 06:01 PM

Traveling cost perhaps? Isn't the Claymores kind of far away from everyone else?

And if it is a problem with market size, then what the hell was their market research group doing at first place?

dougaiton · 10-21-2004, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marioh

Thanks for clearing that up for me. It's a shame that the NFL is going for the dollars, at the expense of the fans. Especially after building up that fan base.

Your point is actually very valid, though. Amsterdam and Scotland 'look' terrible to those on Fox sports, just like Barcelona. When the Dragons once drew 20k, you'd think that's pretty good. Put them in the 120k seater Nou Camp, and to a television audience it looks terrible.

dougaiton · 10-21-2004, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Traveling cost perhaps? Isn't the Claymores kind of far away from everyone else?

And if it is a problem with market size, then what the hell was their market research group doing at first place?

Very good point - they must have known that no Scottish club could ever draw more than 10k, when the nation's second-biggest city (and capital) can't get 10k fans a week for their football/soccer club.

I think, previously, they wanted to use NFL Europe as a loss leader. Set up franchises that didn't make much money in France, Italy, Czech Republic etc. to boost marketing revenues hugely (which is where, of course, the NFL make their money).

Well, someone's changed their mind. Audiences and attendances are best in Germany, so let's go there. It might be a last gasp bid to create a viable stand-alone commercial entity out of NFL Europe, which it never really was meant to be. That won't work, IMO.

10-21-2004, 05:27 PM	#1
dougaiton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Location: Posts: 3,414	After the great triumph, a real punch to the gut Talk about a way to spoil the one greatest sporting achievements of the century. Sure, the world series will start on Saturday, and it will all be forgotten, but until then, I might shed a few tears for a team I've supported since I saw their first game over 10 years ago. Montreal, I feel your pain. http://claymores.com/more.php?id=1036_0_1_0_M __________________ tThis shower of clowns My park-adjusted, historically split Born in '69 league file! (also at Joe's wonderful site +BBSC)

10-21-2004, 05:31 PM	#2
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	I can't believe the whole league hasn't been discontinued yet. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

10-21-2004, 05:33 PM	#3
dougaiton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Location: Posts: 3,414	EDIT: Got overupset __________________ tThis shower of clowns My park-adjusted, historically split Born in '69 league file! (also at Joe's wonderful site +BBSC) Last edited by dougaiton; 10-21-2004 at 05:39 PM.

10-21-2004, 05:36 PM	#4
marioh All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 1,162	Bummer. But from the Claymore games I saw this past season, they weren't doing too well with packing fans into the stadium. I'm just glad that American football is catching on in some parts of Europe. From the games I've seen, it seems to draw alot of fans in Germany. Then again, they could be luring people into the stadium with offers of free beer. __________________ RZA - "I'm me and the me that's me is me and is going to continue to be me"

10-21-2004, 06:01 PM	#8
Skipaway Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Where you live Posts: 11,017	Traveling cost perhaps? Isn't the Claymores kind of far away from everyone else? And if it is a problem with market size, then what the hell was their market research group doing at first place? __________________ Jonathan Haidt: Moral reasoning is really just a servant masquerading as a high priest. Last edited by Skipaway; 10-21-2004 at 06:02 PM.

10-21-2004, 05:38 PM	#5
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	Sorry to hear that, Doug. It always sucks to lose a team. I went through it in St Louis with the football Cardinals, and now with the Expos. (/shrug, both happened shortly after I moved to those respective locations... pray I don't move to your town!) Also sucks because in the Madden versions that have NFLE teams, I use the Claymores 90% of the time.