Buccaneers will not play home games abroad - NFL News
Tampa Bay Buccaneers were not done with just firing Coach Raheem Morris after a horrendous 2011 regular season.
In a press conference where the franchise announced the severing of their ties with Head Coach Raheem Morris, Co-chairman Joel Glazer also told the media that the Buccaneers will not be participating further in the National Football League program to play
a few of their home games abroad in London.
The announcement is part of a complete rebuilding plan for the franchise, which has suffered television blackouts, empty stands and poor performances on the field. The Buccaneers played their first home game at the New Wembley Stadium in London as part of
the League’s program to bring the sport to the attention of a global audience.
The decision to go abroad alienated fans at home and the franchise’s poor performances on the field did not help in turning around the mood of Bucs fans. With Raheem Morris gone, the ownership has given the fans the first thing they wanted and will hope
that fans will come back to support the team again when they play their matches on home soil.
“We spoke to the league recently and informed them that we wouldn’t be participating in the foreseeable future. We were helping the league internationally, we believe greatly in that. But for the foreseeable future, that is something we told them we want
to focus on building our base here”, said Glazer.
The Glazer family also owns the English Premier League side Manchester United and were ready participants to play some of the Buccaneers game on English soil but the decision’s unpopularity and the decrease in number of fans coming to watch the game has
forced the owners to revert their decision.
The National Football League, under Commissioner Roger Goodell, has been trying to make the sport an International phenomenon in line with Association Football but the attempts have failed miserably. Now with the Falcons pulling out of the plans, the League
will have to find another franchise willing to travel across the Atlantic.
The Buccaneers started the season well under Coach Raheem Morris going 4-2 during the first two weeks, but failed to win a single game after that. Their 10-game losing streak was the final straw for the fans and owners.
The Buccaneers will now look to rebuild and put this season behind them. A new coach and new philosophy might just be what this young team needs to reach their full potential.
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