NFL Europe is disbanded
After 16 years in Europe, the NFL shut down its developmental league yesterday. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it was strictly business, insisting that after "significant investment," it was time to close NFL Europe and concentrate on regular-season games outside the United States.
After 16 years in Europe, the NFL shut down its developmental league yesterday.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it was strictly business, insisting that after "significant investment," it was time to close NFL Europe and concentrate on regular-season games outside the United States.
The league reportedly was losing about $30 million a season. Five teams were in Germany, and the other was in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The announcement came less than a week after the Hamburg Sea Devils beat the Frankfurt Galaxy, 37-28, in the World Bowl championship in Frankfurt before a crowd of 48,125.
NFL team owners decided in October to play up to two regular-season games each season outside the United States. The first such game is Oct. 28 in London between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.
The league said it is looking toward other regular-season games in Germany, Mexico and Canada.
The league began in 1991 as the World League of American Football, with 10 teams from the United States and Europe. It produced players such as quarterback Kurt Warner, who led the Rams to the 2000 Super Bowl title and won two NFL MVP awards; Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme; and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Noteworthy
* Alabama cornerback Ramzee Robinson, the last player selected in the NFL draft, agreed to a 3-year deal with Detroit. *