Why isn't it a worldwide phenomenon...??

Question

I cannot fathom why such fantastic exciting games as [Irish] Hurling, or girls' camogie [hurling variation], or even Australian football have not caught worldwide significance yet!!

Must simply be 2 things: because their populations are too small for people to take enough note of the inherent genius of such sports; OR

That the grounds to play them need too much available space for what most countries can handle.

What think ye??

Answer 1

The US evolved NFL out of Rugby to eliminate factors that depended on referees interpretation. That point alone pretty much rules out the 3 games you mention being popular in the US, particularly Aussie Rules with subjective infractions like "deliberate out of bounds", "didn't have eyes on the ball" (when 'taking out' an opposing player), and "prior opportunity - holding the ball" (meaning you had prior opportunity to release the ball before the referee deems you've held it too long). It's not hard to see why a country used to objective rule interpretations, "challenges on plays" and endless video replays wouldn't easily adopt the more free-flowing AFL. But I've taken plenty of Americans to games and they absolutely love it.

As for the rest of the world, it's my opinion that any country with a standard cricket oval and 18 fit men per side could/should adopt Aussie Rules in a heartbeat.

I'm not too sure about the advertising argument though - with an average of 6 goals per quarter (40second ad breaks per goal), half an hour of pre-game, 2x10min QT breaks and one 15min HT break thats plenty of opportunity to entice a few advertisers to support the game.

Answer 2

Biggest reason footy doesn't catch on in the USA is one word--

ANDREW

The stupid wanker doesn't understand television in America, the channel he thinks he struck gold with, Setanta North America, can only be seen by 1 percent of a possible America audience.

Plus, here in America, we are so frustrated with the NBA not being interesting and baseball losing its following.

Andrew just must hate the American dollar. Plus, most Yanks think that Benny Graham and Sav Rocca were rugby players. The difference between footy and rugby has never been explained to the American sporting public.

If Andrew the Rocket Scientist would hire some marketing people that understand both footy and America, young Americans would be wearing AFL footy jumpers just like Australian kids wear NBA jumpers.

Andrew pull the head of out your ars* and market the game to the USA, dollars are waiting.

Answer 3

They will never take off in the US because they don't allow enough breaks to fit in the 9 million commercials they need to run. American sports are custom tailored to fit the needs of a network, not a sport. The UK won't pick it up because they don't care for the Irish and only like the Aussies a tiny bit more.

Its the sad state of things, yeah?

Answer 4

It doesn't help that Australia is in the southern hemisphere so when that season is going on then it is the opposite season in N America and Europe and Asia.

Answer 5

You tend to like the stuff you were brought up with.

ozzie rules is exciting to you because you are emotionally involved  Other countries would see it as  guys just kicking a i ball around with some rough tackling that looks dangerous