The World League was created in 1991 lasting two seasons in what was the first transatlantic league for American-styled football. In 1995 the World League changed its name to NFL Europe with substantial financial support from media giant Rupert Murdoch and the FOX TV network, estimated at around 50% ownership in the new league. NFL Europe (NFLE) is part of the NFL International Group established in 1996, which has made a significant effort to keep the league alive in a region dominated by soccer, which is referred to as football outside of the United States.
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| NFL Europe Logo |
The FOX TV network ended its 50% ownership in 2000 causing serious concerns for the survivability of the league until the NFL was able to restructure the plan for financing the league. In efforts to assist NFLE, the NFL Players Association contributed by increasing its Defined Gross Revenue (GDR) credits from $5 million from its inception to $15 million in 2001-2002, and to $20 million in 2003.8 Presently, NFLE games are broadcast on the NFL Channel.
In 2001 the NFLE cost an estimated $20 million annually, averaging $3.3 million per team.9 The NFL contributes $10 million annually to share the cost in supporting the NFLE, with each NFL franchise contributing approximately $2 million annually.
The NFLE was also intended to serve as a marketing tool for the NFL, a developmental league for lower tiered NFL players, as well as an expansion of NFL broadcast abroad. New NFL rules require that each NFL team allocate at least six players to NFL Europe. This program resulted in 185 NFL players participating in NFLE for the 2001 season. The total number of players in NFLE was 230 for the 2001 season.
Attendance of NFLE games has fluctuated overtime. German cities have shown the strongest support of the NFLE teams. The Dusseldorf (Rhein) and Frankfurt teams accounted for nearly 60% of NFLE attendance in 2001.10 The 2001 season saw average game attendance rise to 18,573, which was up by 28% from 1995 attendance numbers. (sited by www.loc.gov)
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