Part 1 of discussion: Answer these 3 questions from the powerpoint that is attached. (3-5 sentences for each question)
1.Should this program be done for all American-based sports (MLB, NHL, NBA)?
2.How has social media helped NFL fans engage with international fans?
3.Do you see this program helping the NFL’s revenue increase, or can it backfire and drop revenue down?
Part 2 of discussion: Then Reply 3-5 sentences to Two classmates answers below:
Classmate 1 (Tori) : Hello Stephen! You did an excellent job on your presentation. I enjoyed hearing your summary of the articles about NFL around the world and that the league has announced that they would add more teams in the global markets. In addition, I can clearly tell how passionate you are about the NFL and having a powerpoint made it very easy to follow because it was very clear to understand. Additionally, I am glad to hear that the NFL is thinking about expanding into other countries in order to expand their customer base. Down below are my answers to your three discussion questions from your presentation.
Question #1: Should this program be done for all American-based sports (MLB, NHL, NBA)?
Personally, I believe that this program should be done for all American-based sports such as the MLB, NHL, and NBA because the expansion into global markets can be very beneficial for the American sports leagues. In addition, I think that this would be a strategic move to reach / create an international fan base while simultaneously boosting sales and revenue. Additionally, I think that we would need to be consider the overall popularity of the sport in specific countries, potential revenue / sales opportunities, and identify / research any pre-existing fan bases. Personally, I believe that each American sport league should carefully evaluate and assess the international market’s potential before jumping and expanding into a brand-new market without proper knowledge. For example, according to the articles cited in your presentation specifically in the case of the NFL and their decision to expand in Germany that led to their success in the country Germany serves as a strong reason why this program should be considered across all American based sports. Furthermore, millions of ticket requests for one game in the NFL’s case led to the decision to expand into Germany and this was also due to a strong existing fan base who had an interest in American football. Moreover, Germany’s popularity in flag football, strong local partnerships, and the considerable American military presence created additional opportunities for interaction and engagement. The article specifically mentioned how the love of American football in Germany, created an opportunity for the Atlanta Falcons to expand their fan base. I think that each American based sport league should take a similar approach and identify specific countries where their sport is gaining the most massive traction among consumers and collaborate with a few of local partners in the country. This approach was mentioned within the cited articles specifically with the NFL and how they had partnerships with Mercedes Benz in Germany. This example showcases how the NFL leveraged their pre-existing relationships and the other American based sport leagues could do the exact same process and even enhance their global presence by hosting international games and doing sponsorships. In conclusion, MLB, NHL, and NBA may develop their global brands, increase revenue, and tap into fervent international fan bases by emulating the NFL’s Global Markets Program, provided they evaluate the possibilities of each country and adjust and tailor their strategy accordingly based on the specific country.
Question #2: How has social media helped NFL fans engage with international fans?
Personally, I believe that we live in the social media age where numerous social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube play a critical role in bridging the gap between NFL fans both in the United States and in Foreign countries. For example, social media platforms provide real time live updates on NFL games and news. In addition, in the case of the NFL’s expansion into Germany social media has helped NFL fans follow every single aspect of the game live. Social media platforms create a unique opportunity because people can view the games virtually live without ever having to set foot into the team’s stadium which especially helps international fans stay engaged with the NFL. Furthermore, social media is an outlet that helps fans share their excitement, enthusiasm, and interest amongst each other through photos and videos of NFL related content. In conclusion, social media has allowed international fans to stay informed and engaged with their favorite teams and players. Social media also allows international fans to share their passion for the sport with like minded individuals.
Question #3: Do you see this program helping the NFL’s revenue increase, or can it backfire and drop revenue down?
Yes, I believe that this program will help the NFL’s revenue increase. Based on the information provided from the cited articles and the presentation the NFL’s program of global expansion showcases potential areas for an increase in overall revenue. For example, the Atlanta Falcons’ entering Germany is a prime example of the NFL’s global expansion strategy, which is expected to increase revenue. Due to the overwhelming demand of millions of requests for tickets to NFL games in Germany this case specifically indicated the global market’s potential. In addition, as mentioned in the article partnerships with sponsors like Mercedes-Benz could also develop into a potential income source for the NFL. On the other hand, this program could completely backfire and cause income to severely decrease if this initiative is poorly implemented into other foreign countries. Furthermore, as stated in the article the $11.9 billion income for the NFL that was reported in 2022 shows potential room for growth. In conclusion, with anything there is a potential of risk especially if the NFL does not effectively manage the global expansion into various countries. There is also a risk of the interest of American football declining in certain markets and countries which could also lead to a potential decrease in revenue. If the NFL wants to guarantee long term success and an increase in revenue it would require a strategy, careful planning, and ongoing assessment of the program’s overall performance. Ultimately, the NFL’s strategy can ultimately serve as a model for other American sports leagues such as the MLB, NHL, and NBA, but it is crucial that each league assess specific conditions and fan base in order to truly determine the possible benefits and risks when expanding into global markets.
Classmate 2 (Victoria): Hey Stephen,
Your exposition on current events was excellent, in my opinion. You did a fantastic job summarizing the article by highlighting all the crucial details, and your PowerPoint presentation helped me follow up with what you were discussing. Your chosen article about the NFL in various countries and how they plan to add more clubs in diverse international markets was an exciting topic.
Question 1: Should this program be done for all American-based sports (MLB, NHL, NBA)?
I believe this program should be done for all American-based- sports simply because growing into the international markets will positively impact American sports leagues. They will have an increase in their earning as well as sales. Most importantly, there will be opportunities to include fans worldwide. However, before expanding this program internationally, all leagues must determine which sports are the most popular in each country. They must also carefully calculate what countries will purchase sponsorships, have fan clubs with many participants, and create alliances with the country’s local sports teams that can result in the most revenue and sales. As you mentioned in your presentation, Germany was a country where the NFL successfully implemented this program. In 2022, the NFL had its first of four regular-season games in Germany throughout the following four years at Munich’s Allianz Arena. As soon as this was announced, there was a huge demand. The stadium only holds about 70,000 seats, and there were 1 million requests for tickets for these four games within the stadium. Proving that Germany has a huge fan base for NFL football was a significant sign that placing the program in this country would be successful for the NFL in terms of profit and sales. If the other all-American major league teams take the chance to use this program with regions they have researched and predicted will be most successful, it can positively impact them. Once that information is considered, this may help them build their league name to become well-known internationally, boost their income, and gain a devoted global fan following.
Question 2: How has social media helped NFL fans engage with international fans?
Nowadays, Social media plays a significant role in marketing or advertisements for anything. Most importantly, social media is used by so many people, and most are kept up to date with the things they are interested in or love because of it. Social media has helped NFL fans engage with international fans in many ways. For instance, it has allowed the building of digital communities. Keeping up with the NFL internationally requires joining an online community. Football is a relevant sport worldwide. Thus, most supporters discover their community digitally because there is frequently no place to go alongside other fans to watch games, such as an arena or a bar. Regardless of whether they are fan-owned organizations, localized team channels, or official NFL channels, social media platforms are an essential resource for local sports fanatics to acquire information about the game, connect with others who share their interests, and debate the most recent news, particularly on game day. Social media significantly impacts sports. Because fans want to interact with actual individuals, not businesses, it radically transforms how fans interact.
Question 3: Do you see this program helping the NFL’s revenue increase, or can it backfire and drop revenue down?
I firmly believe that this program can make a significant impact on benefiting the NFL’s revenue. As I mentioned in question two, the NFL decided to hold just four games in Germany’s Munich’s Allianz Arena. The tickets for the games received so much demand that the NFL knew that their global expansion strategy would be a hit in the country. As the Forbes article you selected stated, “National media makes up about 67% of the league’s total football-related revenue. In addition, teams total about $200 million in revenue from non-NFL events, such as concerts, at their stadiums.” However, this could backfire if the NFL doesn’t research the country before using this location to expand the program. Choosing a location with low demands on the NFL could harm the league’s revenue. The NFL will need a meticulously laid-out plan, plus an evaluation of the program’s overall effectiveness, depending on the country, if it intends to ensure sustained profitability and a rise in income.