I understand that 'if that had gone in, it would have been a goal' is advertised as a football blog, and that my readership (a fella named Dave) demands that it remains so; therefore I must open by informing you that this piece will eventually stumble upon the topic (a bit).
In the meantime...
Reports last week revealed that London's mop topped mayor, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, has been in talks with the National Football League (NFL) over the potential for the London Olympic Stadium to host the most un-Olympic of sports - and I don't mean Boris' much championed 'wiff-waff'. The proposal from Senior NFL officials (seen below) provisionally includes the staging of NFL regular season american football games at the Olympic Stadium, with exploration into the formation of a London franchise to be undertaken (presumably named 'The Allies'). Before you grab for the brown paper bag, I must clarify that though discussions have been "encouraging", they are still very primitive in nature and described only as "exploratory".
 |
| (presumably taken during negotiations - Boris can be seen 3 from the right) |
Still, the whole affair baffles me... I mean how on Boris' glistening wet otter ridden, picaninnies inhabited, zoink of an Earth did the NFL officials have any idea what was actually said during these liaisons? and furthermore, does BoJo actually know what he's signing his beloved capital up for? The glitzy and brash 'Gridiron' would have been somewhat usurped by rugger, fives, pony club trails, and homoeroticism, during his Etonion and Balliol days.
I appreciate the interest from State-side: to expand the global audience, and generate obese quantities of dollar - much as the Premiership has been doing over there. Afterall, it's been a disappointingly successful experiment at the home of football (no, not the Sports Direct Arena), in which on all six occasions, NFL match-ups have sold out Wembley; something the national association football team regularly fails to do. In fact, such has been the popularity of these events, that London has even been touted as "the natural home of American Football outside the United States" - the UK being the obvious choice given our appreciation of US culture, lack of domestically developed sports, proximity to NFL HQ, and overall aptitude for the game - Clearly, Canada doesn't fit the bill. Overall though, where does this proposition, or unguarded economics in general, fit into the British legacy of the games?
 |
| (Barry Hearn: Leyton Orient Chairman & agent provocateur to Ronnie O' Sullivan) |
I am not endorsing any particular football club's bid, however I do support the overall ideology. Football is much more in keeping with the Games' legacy than 60 overweight men, laden with pads and paychecks, chasing a peculiar shaped ball for 60 mins; but at 20 second intervals. Let's be frank, nothing is more steeped in modern British culture than football, and as the Olympics were presented as the essence of contemporary British-ness (thank you Mr Boyle (not Frankie)), there's an argument to say they should stay that way. I appreciate that this intangible notion of national identity is dated, but many, as I do, believe this summer's games captured 'it' (what ever 'it' is) - i'm hoping Russell Brand's eccentric performance was the exception.
Opinion will doubtless be divided on this subject (it may apply to both aforementioned items but i'm currently referring to the Games' legacy, not Russell Brand), but the Olympic stadium has the chance to remain a sanctity of sport, quintessentially British, and opposed to yet further bland corporatism (I appreciate the World's biggest McDonalds was/is sited in Olympic Park) - A national treasure in the mould of Dublin's Croke Park perhaps? Wembley, the Millenium Dome, as well as countless other venues, have all bowed to financial might; hosting gigs, concerts, NFL and so on... and I see no reason for this to discontinue, afterall I do understand the financial necessity in doing so. But surely this market is saturated now!? can there really be sufficient demand to support a further globalised arena in London? There must be a risk the Olympic Stadium would only be stealing business away from incumbent facilities that have become so dependent on it; and thus there MAY even be an economic argument for limiting the Olympic arena's additional usage.
West Ham United's proposal as a multi-purpose sports facility is favourite to win out when the final decision is delivered in December; and given correct additional usage and sanctity of the stadium name (no one wants to see the 'Mates Condoms Arena'), this could be an appropriate outcome. A club that represents East London would be guaranteed it's base in the East-End; and, in addition, the retention of the athletics track would provide a high-profile athletics arena going forward, as well as retain an ounce of the spirit of the games...
BUT I do not think it fitting, or in keeping with the legacy, to see this diluted by nightly performances from P-Diddley & his hippedy-hop cronies, or by Janet Jackson exposing her wobbley bits.. and as for NFL, "there's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we're ready, are we ready? No we're*insert profanity* not!".
I would appreciate your feedback on this self-indulgent splurge... please provide writing to the details below.
BC
Twitter: @BobbyCowsill
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/262906063816351/
No comments:
Post a Comment