In September 2007, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants became the first American Football teams to play an NFL game outside of North America when they played against each other at Wembley Stadium in London.
Now England's Premier League is set to do the same. Soon, some Premier League game may be played abroad...
Coming soon: Manchester United v Arsenal in Miami, Merseyside derby in Beijing and Spurs v Chelsea in Melbourne
7th February 2008
Daily Mail
Moving ... Some Premier League games could be played abroad
The English Premier League is considering playing some matches overseas.
At a meeting in London today, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games in 2010/11.
The extra games would be played at venues around the world, with cities bidding for the right to stage them.
Global attraction: Arsenal and Manchester United could take their rivalry around the world
It is understood the additional fixtures will be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other. This is a chance for the Premier League to showcase its product around the world
It is unlikely any decision will be taken before the Premier League's annual summer meeting in June, but any changes could come into effect for the 2010/11 season.
Points from those extra games would count towards the league table. A number of top-flight clubs already play matches around the world as they seek to capitalise on the huge global interest in the English game.
Manchester United are regular visitors to Asia, Middle East and America while other clubs are beginning to follow their lead.
There is likely to be a big scramble for the right to host the extra games, with Shanghai, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Miami the early favourites to host the first batch of extra games.
It is believed each venue would host two matches over a weekend.
Birmingham co-owner David Gold believes the League should be praised for its proposal to take matches overseas.
"We are making history," he said. "The Premier League, which is the greatest league the world has ever known, is being adventurous.
"It is looking forward and is looking to take an English brand global. The idea is very worthy of consideration. I find this amazingly exciting."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "The 'international round' is an exciting and innovative proposal that needs careful consideration before being introduced.
Crowd pleasers: Chelsea play a pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy in front of a capacity 27,000 crowd at the Home Depot Center
"However, this concept recognises the truly global appeal of the Barclays Premier League whilst understanding that the traditions of the English game have always underpinned our success.
"We believe that an 'international round' of matches will enhance the strength of the Barclays Premier League as a competition; create extra interest in all 20 Premier League Clubs at home and abroad; and allow increased investment in talent development and acquisition, facilities as well as our football development and community programmes."
A meeting of the 20 clubs this morning agreed in principle to the plan. The final decision whether to proceed with the plan will be made in January next year.
The idea would be to cash in on existing interest in the Premier League around the world, and the extra money generated from TV would be split equally among the 20 clubs.
The details of how the system would work have yet to be finalised but it would mean each club playing 39 games, with a draw to pick out each side's overseas match.
There would be a sporting criteria, such as league position, to decide who plays who, and under the proposal, points earned in the overseas game would count towards the final league position.
Scudamore added: "The globalisation of sport is both an opportunity and a challenge; one that needs addressing in a responsible way.
"We are a better competition for being a cosmopolitan league and have benefited from our increased international reach.
"Nonetheless, it is critical we retain our English character by improving our efforts to produce home-grown talent, deepening our commitment to community engagement and continuing our investment in the grass-roots."
The Premier League's proposal mirrors moves in other sports, notably American Football and is expected to prove unpopular with fans.
Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: "I'm fairly confident in predicting that the overwhelming majority of football supporters will be totally opposed to this proposal.
"This is yet another case of the Premier League threatening the tradition of our game simply to follow money."
dailymail.co.uk
Now England's Premier League is set to do the same. Soon, some Premier League game may be played abroad...
Coming soon: Manchester United v Arsenal in Miami, Merseyside derby in Beijing and Spurs v Chelsea in Melbourne
7th February 2008
Daily Mail
Moving ... Some Premier League games could be played abroad
The English Premier League is considering playing some matches overseas.
At a meeting in London today, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games in 2010/11.
The extra games would be played at venues around the world, with cities bidding for the right to stage them.
Global attraction: Arsenal and Manchester United could take their rivalry around the world
It is understood the additional fixtures will be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other. This is a chance for the Premier League to showcase its product around the world
It is unlikely any decision will be taken before the Premier League's annual summer meeting in June, but any changes could come into effect for the 2010/11 season.
Points from those extra games would count towards the league table. A number of top-flight clubs already play matches around the world as they seek to capitalise on the huge global interest in the English game.
Manchester United are regular visitors to Asia, Middle East and America while other clubs are beginning to follow their lead.
There is likely to be a big scramble for the right to host the extra games, with Shanghai, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Miami the early favourites to host the first batch of extra games.
It is believed each venue would host two matches over a weekend.
Birmingham co-owner David Gold believes the League should be praised for its proposal to take matches overseas.
"We are making history," he said. "The Premier League, which is the greatest league the world has ever known, is being adventurous.
"It is looking forward and is looking to take an English brand global. The idea is very worthy of consideration. I find this amazingly exciting."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "The 'international round' is an exciting and innovative proposal that needs careful consideration before being introduced.
Crowd pleasers: Chelsea play a pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy in front of a capacity 27,000 crowd at the Home Depot Center
"However, this concept recognises the truly global appeal of the Barclays Premier League whilst understanding that the traditions of the English game have always underpinned our success.
"We believe that an 'international round' of matches will enhance the strength of the Barclays Premier League as a competition; create extra interest in all 20 Premier League Clubs at home and abroad; and allow increased investment in talent development and acquisition, facilities as well as our football development and community programmes."
A meeting of the 20 clubs this morning agreed in principle to the plan. The final decision whether to proceed with the plan will be made in January next year.
The idea would be to cash in on existing interest in the Premier League around the world, and the extra money generated from TV would be split equally among the 20 clubs.
The details of how the system would work have yet to be finalised but it would mean each club playing 39 games, with a draw to pick out each side's overseas match.
There would be a sporting criteria, such as league position, to decide who plays who, and under the proposal, points earned in the overseas game would count towards the final league position.
Scudamore added: "The globalisation of sport is both an opportunity and a challenge; one that needs addressing in a responsible way.
"We are a better competition for being a cosmopolitan league and have benefited from our increased international reach.
"Nonetheless, it is critical we retain our English character by improving our efforts to produce home-grown talent, deepening our commitment to community engagement and continuing our investment in the grass-roots."
The Premier League's proposal mirrors moves in other sports, notably American Football and is expected to prove unpopular with fans.
Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: "I'm fairly confident in predicting that the overwhelming majority of football supporters will be totally opposed to this proposal.
"This is yet another case of the Premier League threatening the tradition of our game simply to follow money."
dailymail.co.uk