Chapter 652 Twists and turns
Over the past two seasons, the NFL’s games at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium have been wildly successful—
In the 2016 season, the Oakland Raiders narrowly defeated the Houston Texans.
In the 2017 season, the New England Patriots swept the Oakland Raiders.
In both games, the occupancy rate of the Azteca Stadium exceeded 97%, which showed Mexico City's welcome to the rugby era in a gratifying manner. This also gave the league confidence to move forward firmly.
During this offseason, the league has had in-depth exchanges and discussions with team owners. They are preparing to continue arranging regular seasons in London and Mexico City, and are preparing to add one or two regular seasons at Tottenham next year——
This is a good opportunity for the team to open up the international market; but at the same time, the team also needs to face the problem of long-distance travel. Mexico City is relatively convenient, but London and Tottenham need to cross the Atlantic Ocean, which will inevitably have an impact on the player's condition.
How to choose, this is the key that every team owner needs to weigh.
Right away, Goodell's sights were set on the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams.
Last season, the contradictory showdown of "Levi VS Donald" did not take place, which made Goodell particularly frustrated. He very, very much hopes that the two players on the next front of the league can collide and create sparks.
If it doesn't work once, then do it a second time or a third time.
Goodell hoped that the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams could go to London and use the influence of Levi and Donald to ignite enthusiasm in the British Isles; however, the owners of both teams expressed resistance-
It is true that the overseas market is attractive and a very important layout. Both bosses are moved; but the two bosses have not lost their minds. They both know that the most important task of the team at present is to win the championship.
Go to the Super Bowl first, then expand the market.
The team owner refused to cooperate, and Goodell could not force the cow to drink water; after discussions and back-and-forth, Goodell realized their true intentions:
It's not that they are unwilling to cooperate, but that they are bargaining.
Then, things become simple.
After mediation and back-and-forth, the three parties finally reached a consensus on the match in Mexico City.
Traveling to Mexico City takes only three and a half hours from Los Angeles; traveling from Kansas City is about the same time as traveling to Los Angeles.
Moreover, there is no time difference.
In other words, there is almost no difference from the ordinary regular season schedule; but at the same time, both teams can take the first step in the international market.
Everyone is happy.
At that time, Goodell was just expecting Levi and Donald, the two best offensive/defensive players in the league last season, to detonate traffic.
But now, things are heating up little by little, changing the situation in all aspects——
"Super Bowl Half"? The strong collision between the half-time National League champions and the half-time American League champions couldn't be more perfect. It immediately pushed the status of the international competition to a new level. It was no longer a weak team or a weak team with no hope for the season to go to London and Mexico City for hype. A topic, and the excitement of the game will not be criticized again and again.
Not only not, but it will become the focus of global social networks.
Everything is perfect.
The weather. Convenient location. People and.
Nothing goes wrong.
In the days leading up to Mexico, Goodell walked with wind in his eyes.
However!
Extreme things must be reversed. If everything is too perfect, it may go to the other extreme.
First, the weather, a torrential rain that lasted for several days, flooded the entire Mexico City, almost causing floods, and the Azteca Stadium was no exception.
Then there is the location. The Azteca Stadium has a full schedule throughout November. From Shakira’s concert to charity football matches to large-scale public welfare rallies, there are activities almost every day, so much so that it is watered by heavy rains. The grounds were never repaired - it was abysmal.
Seeing that the annual NFL Mexico City game was about to kick off, more and more eyes were gathering due to the nature of this game. Only then did people realize that the condition of the Azteca Stadium was a disaster. Only kids from the slums play football there.
Things are in trouble.
NFL league officials immediately went to Mexico City to solve the problem, and Goodell also reassured the media inside and out, ensuring that the stadium would be ready.
It seems that the Mexico City race is inevitable——
There is no way. The interests and global layout involved behind it are very involved. In addition, the opportunity for the Kansas Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams this year is too rare. Goodell does not want to and cannot miss it.
Day after day.
The problems at the Azteca Stadium are still not getting better, and the players can no longer stand it.
More than one or two players have expressed strong protest against the league and stated that if the league forces the Mexico City game to be held, they will refuse to play because the terrible venue poses a serious risk of injury.
Finally, harmony and harmony have also been fundamentally shaken.
Things took a turn for the worse, and they watched a great situation turn into a farce.
So, what about Levi?
In fact, neither Levi nor Donald, the two star players, spoke.
It's not that he doesn't dare, but that Levi knows that the interests of the whole matter are very wide, and relying solely on the individual players' protests is not enough to change the overall situation, especially these stupid young people who have been in the league for two or three years and have no foundation in the league. He also has no connections. On the surface, he seems to have great fame, but in fact, he is not very popular at all.
If they want to take the initiative, they need to take a two-pronged approach, using public opinion to build momentum while also starting from the fundamentals.
Levi contacted Donald and divided his forces into two groups to persuade Gurley, Wentz, Mahomes and others to submit a formal protest through the players committee, hoping that the league would prioritize the health of the players.
Finally, provide advice to team owners through coaches and team managers.
All kinds, all kinds——
Goodell still held on to a faint hope until the last moment, but in the end he still failed to hold on and wisely chose to retreat in the face of the situation.
Mexico City game, canceled.
The entire alliance was in an uproar.
The NFL's best opportunity to open up the international market unexpectedly hit a wall again. It was already ready and all it needed was the east wind, but in the end it all failed, leaving everyone disappointed.
Rumor has it that Goodell was so angry with his partners and stadium contractors in Mexico City that he even had the idea of canceling the Mexico City game. If not, at least changing the stadium. The ensuing mess was completely chaotic; however, it still didn't help. If you missed the opportunity, you missed it.
Maybe, from the beginning, this was never an opportunity.
It is precisely because of this series of twists and turns that more attention is focused on the semi-final Super Bowl showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs——
Even the passers-by who had no interest in NFL international games before or even resisted opposition are now all concerned.
Wonderful, eat melon.
The Mexico game is cancelled, but that doesn’t mean the regular season won’t go on.
According to the arrangement, this event should be the home court of the Los Angeles Rams. It is still held at the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium and will be held as scheduled. The two teams are back on the track of the regular season.
2018, November 19, Monday night game.
(End of chapter)