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Q: Do you think American football (NFL) will ever become popular in China?
Everyone loves basketball and soccer. What about American football?
You're asking whether modern Chinese men would ever 1) diligently take the time and effort to get physically strong; 2) bravely subject themselves on a regular basis to extreme physical and mental injury; 3) passionately embrace and promote a uniquely American sport?
Maybe, I bet people didn't think Rugby would become popular in Japan.
expatlife26:
yeah but even rugby isnt as specialized as american football. No gear needed really.
You can play a pick up rugby game, I wouldnt be any good at it but I could play. Need so much gear for american football it can only thrive in places with organized leagues people put $ down on
glydwelle:
Actually all you really need is a field and a ball. I grew up playing 2 hand touch football all the time as a kid. If you want to get a little more fancy you can always buy the flags and belts from taobao. I used to play all the time at my old city with some of the teachers and students at a university.
iWolf:
Rugby has had a fairly big following for a few decades in Japan.
I went to a poncy elite boys grammar school back in the 80s that was well known for its rugby. Each year either the top japanese boys school would come for a series of games or we would go. I played in 2 of these series and the japanese teams were definitely not light weight players, always put in a gutsy effort and did win the odd game.
I just can't imagine a bunch of the schoolboys i see around town cutting the mustard. And when would the school kids find the time to develop the fitness and skill required for body contact sports? Their tiger mums would be screaming "dangerous".
I think it's unlikely, cos lets be honest, it's really not a very good game! But the sport is run like a business and China is a huge market so I can see them having a go. If the government ever change their current stance of 'western culture is evil' they might stand a chance.
You're asking whether modern Chinese men would ever 1) diligently take the time and effort to get physically strong; 2) bravely subject themselves on a regular basis to extreme physical and mental injury; 3) passionately embrace and promote a uniquely American sport?
Not going to happen in this universe.
Apart from the aforementioned reasons, name one other country where American football is popular.
American football is a long drawn out game which takes a few hours to have five minutes of action. I get that it is a strategic game but let's face it, it's boring for 95% of the game.
BHGAL:
I read, somewhere, 8 minutes of action in an NFL game....maybe can see Chinese watching it someday, but certainly never playing the game...... bet on it maybe.
iWolf:
So, 8 minutes of action in 3-4 hours of a televised game and a hundred advertisements. I can definitely see the appeal
Sinobear:
As opposed to soccer where pansies in stockings run around, kick the ball, fall down and cry their eyes out.
iWolf:
I must fess up. I have never watched more than a few minutes of soccer, American football or basketball in my life. I like both rugbys
Sinobear:
Me neither...I prefer to participate in sports rather than getting all hot and wet over multimillionaire dullards
Nah, i think more than other sports you need a huge infrastructure to get American Football going.
Tons of expensive gear, purpose built playing fields, specialization from real young.
and a drive for youth athletic glory.
I just dont think chinese parents would care enough to make their kids spend the time.
I dont think its a coincidence the two big global sports bball and regular football are also the two that require a minimum of that stuff.
Not a chance..... their no1 sports in the country is football aka soccer, and from 1.3 billion they cannot even get a decent team to compete internationally. They suck at football/soccer. So imagine picking up a new full contact sport, cmon please Chinese & full contact sports , not in a million years.
Stiggs:
I agree, I can't see a lot of Chinese guys playing the sport, but following it on TV... yeah maybe.
Actually in some cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai there are some amateur teams that play in a league. I never go, because I don't really have the time. Just have been told by an ex when I told her I played in High school and Middle school(after explaining that high school for me is grade 9 through 12)
WooMow:
Ya there's the AFLC (American Football League China) 3 teams in SH alone, others in Chongqing, HK, BJ...
I don't think it will go mainstream, but thanks to direct NFL funding, a cult following is already underway.
The big barrier to entry for this sport is the cost of gear, but the NFL, recognizing the size and profitability of the market, is pushing hard and supplying the pads.
In China it is a man's game, players are mostly working age. But the guys involved LOVE it. Will it be basketball huge? no. Will it be more popular than, say, hockey? I think so.
weird, just saw that this is happening:
NCAA Pac-12 Game: Longhorns vs. HuskiesEditor's DescriptionJack Ma and co. at Alibaba present a potentially landmark sporting event at the Benz Arena. This is the first regular season American sports match (college or pro) ever held in China, with the Texas Longhorns facing off against the Washington Huskies. Wonder how they'll play with the jet lag. Game starts at 11am. Tickets start at 80rmb on Damai but they'll probably sell out fast.
wagon:
You know that's basketball, right? And it's non-conference, not Pac-12.
Not a chance. The NFL is shoving itself down London's throat with multiple games a year and UK growth is minimal. So, why would Chinese like "olive ball?"
