[simple simon]

The NFL reportedly is ready to expose the hard-hitting game of American football to Chinese fans next year.

League sources confirmed to the Tacoma News Tribune that the Seattle Seahawks will play the New England Patriots next summer in a preseason game.

According to the sources, the NFL is discussing a plan where the Patriots would spend a week in Seattle and then play a preseason game against the Seahawks at Qwest Field. The two teams would then travel to China for public practices and appearances and then play a second preseason game.

The Seahawks refused to discuss or confirm specifics until there is an official announcement from the NFL.

At the NFL meetings in March, outgoing commissioner Paul Tagliabue discussed the possibility of the league playing a game in Beijing next summer, one year before the Olympics are staged there.

ESPN.com - NFL - Report: Seahawks, Pats to play in China next summer

[Lefty Noob]

Eh, its a gimmick. Does anyone really care, save for the few Chinese NFL fans out there?

[simple simon]

actually, i think this is one of the problems with the NBA

i think they went too global and forgot some about America

Mexico is one thing but China

i hope the NFL doesnt go the way of the NBA and lose sight of those at home, those that helped make it what it is

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Better play in a Dome...Industrial China has one big Pollution cloud over it...maybe they can showcase one of their Olympic venues.

[Lefty Noob]

SI.com is reporting that the league is going to cancel this game, and possibly reschedule for 2009.

[simple simon]

Last updated April 1, 2007 11:05 p.m. PT
NFL to cancel Seahawks' China game

Seattle scheduled to play Patriots in preseason game

By CLARE FARNSWORTH
P-I REPORTER
KIRKLAND -- The Seahawks won't be heading to China this summer after all.
The league is expected to announce early this week the cancellation of a game between the Seahawks and New England Patriots that was scheduled to be played in Beijing at Workers Stadium on Aug. 9, league sources confirmed Sunday night.


The story was first reported on SI.com, the Web site for Sports Illustrated.
The problem is one of logistics, on all sides. The league does not think the Chinese are ready to host the game and that the teams involved also are having problems preparing for what was to be the first NFL game in China.
The Seahawks deferred all questions to the NFL office, and league spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment Sunday.


But Stacey James, the Patriots executive director of media relations, told The Associated Press that a team delegation had twice postponed trips to China for planning. It is believed the Seahawks are having similar problems.
"Any announcement would be a league announcement," James said.

NFL to cancel Seahawks' China game

this is for the best



and i still think Mexico is the best option for exspansion

[Lefty Noob]

Official word's come down that the game was cancelled so they can focus on the regular season game in London.

NFL calls off China exhibition game - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
April 2, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- The exhibition game scheduled for China in August was canceled Monday by the NFL, which said it wanted to concentrate its "global resources" on next October's regular-season game in London.

The game had been set for Aug. 9 in Beijing, the second of two consecutive contests between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, who had been scheduled to meet in Seattle the previous week. There was no word on whether that game will be played.

Although San Francisco and Arizona met in Mexico City in 2005, the NFL has never played a regular-season game outside North America. The first will take place in London on Oct. 28 between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins, with Miami designed the "home" team.

Mark Waller, head of NFL International, said that game takes precedence, forcing the cancellation of the first China game, which now is tentatively scheduled for 2009 -- the Olympics will be held in Beijing next summer.

"Our assessment is that Chinese fans would be better served if our game in China is played at a later date after we have launched our international series of regular-season games and more effectively paved the way for the introduction of our game into China," Waller said in a statement issued by the league.

"As a new sport in China, it is critical that we create the best platform for the introduction of the game. We are delighted Beijing authorities have agreed with our assessment and have invited us to play in Beijing in 2009."