The Silver Fern

hydro11

@shark said in NFL Season 2020/21 - Bubble NZ:

I agree that funding the travel and accommodation wouldn't be an issue. Nor finding flights / aircraft. Nor flying into Wgtn which is totally and utterly irrelevant. I'm sure our grounds could facilitate the amount of staff required, even if it meant reduced capacities to create areas for staff and players. All this stuff can be worked with and/or around.

If players keep bailing which reduces the level of the comp, and assuming the same players would travel to NZ, and in light of the issues MLB is already having to start their season, I think the stakeholders inc owners and fans could get behind the idea. I think there is a legitimate chance the season may not otherwise take place.

If they start as planned and games are called off due to positive tests, I don't see how or when they'd make this up. I'd also suggest the Superbowl could still be held as normal in the US as its a one-off event. The world's largest single annual sporting occasion would be in no danger whatsoever of not taking place if everyone involved in it was able to travel from Covid-free NZ.

I think you are underestimating logistics. Do you think an NFL team is going to train at Rugby League Park in Wellington (where the Hurricanes normally train)? It's getting all the equipment and supplies as well. There would be 100s of things we can't even comprehend.

Not to mention quarantine is basically full already. So you would be letting a sports league into the country while saying that citizens have to wait. It's unpalatable.

barbarian

@hydro11 said in NFL Season 2020/21 - Bubble NZ:

@shark said in NFL Season 2020/21 - Bubble NZ:

I agree that funding the travel and accommodation wouldn't be an issue. Nor finding flights / aircraft. Nor flying into Wgtn which is totally and utterly irrelevant. I'm sure our grounds could facilitate the amount of staff required, even if it meant reduced capacities to create areas for staff and players. All this stuff can be worked with and/or around.

If players keep bailing which reduces the level of the comp, and assuming the same players would travel to NZ, and in light of the issues MLB is already having to start their season, I think the stakeholders inc owners and fans could get behind the idea. I think there is a legitimate chance the season may not otherwise take place.

If they start as planned and games are called off due to positive tests, I don't see how or when they'd make this up. I'd also suggest the Superbowl could still be held as normal in the US as its a one-off event. The world's largest single annual sporting occasion would be in no danger whatsoever of not taking place if everyone involved in it was able to travel from Covid-free NZ.

I think you are underestimating logistics. Do you think an NFL team is going to train at Rugby League Park in Wellington (where the Hurricanes normally train)? It's getting all the equipment and supplies as well. There would be 100s of things we can't even comprehend.

Not to mention quarantine is basically full already. So you would be letting a sports league into the country while saying that citizens have to wait. It's unpalatable.

And for what? Not like the NZ Government will make any money out of it. You'd get some tourism when borders open, but that could still be 18 months away.

You might create a few jobs but not enough to offset the logistical nightmares such an operation would present.

shark

You guys seem to be missing the point which is that drastic measures might be required to make the season happen. If the NFL was being realistic or prescient right now they'd have to be pondering the very real possibility that they need to play in a bubble. And the options for a bubble are either an NBA style bubble or to play somewhere safe offshore. If the former is problematic, the latter may be less problematic.

nzzp

@shark said in NFL Season 2020/21 - Bubble NZ:

You guys seem to be missing the point which is that drastic measures might be required to make the season happen. If the NFL was being realistic or prescient right now they'd have to be pondering the very real possibility that they need to play in a bubble. And the options for a bubble are either an NBA style bubble or to play somewhere safe offshore. If the former is problematic, the latter may be less problematic.

couldn't they just relocate to College stadia in the flyover states? Fence off the teams and see what happens? I mean, it'd be lord of the flies on ~~steroids~~ creatine, but goddamn coudl be fun to watch

sparky

I think a NFL bubble or bubbles within the US is much more likely to happen. Washington State, Missouri or Maryland have been mentioned.

shark

I think someone in this country should put our hand up for it, be it the sports minister, NZR or whomever. There is no harm in saying we're keen, we'll enable, these are the benefits, and this is what it'll cost you.