Bucs To Be First (Real) NFL Game In Germany?
January 11th, 2022
Joe was so busy yesterday and never got around to his normal weekly Monday morning rounds.
And one of those usual tasks is skimming the musings of crossword-puzzle-puzzled, Elon-Musk-peeved, Barstool-Sports-triggered, almond-milk-sipping, hot-dog-eating-contest-protesting, mock-draft-scowling, L.L.-Bean-wearing, tennis fans’ advocate, Second Amendment abolitionist, Mike-Florio-arguing, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California-train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal-picture-taking, video-game-playing, Taylor-Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft-beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training, Budweiser-tolerant, baseball-scorecard-keeping, pasta-feasting, vomit-dodging scrooge, Kay-Adams-following, Coors-Light-souring, pineapple-upside-down-cake-eating social activist and NFL insider Peter King of NBC Sports fame.
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that King is well-plugged in with NFL shot-callers (including NFL strongman Roger Goodell). So if King types something about NFL planning and future goals, Joe’s going to take an educated guess and connect the dots that King is getting fed intel from some higher-up at NFL headquarters in Manhattan.
King believes there is a chance, in the fall of the 2022 regular season, that the Bucs could host the first NFL regular season game in Germany.
Sprechen Sie Brady?
When the NFL announced in December that teams could apply for marketing rights in foreign countries, 18 teams were awarded the rights to market their brands in eight countries, beginning Jan. 1, 2022. I am hearing the NFL may schedule some games with those teams in their new marketing countries soon, as early as next season. One possibility on the table: Tampa Bay could play one of its nine home games this fall in Germany. “Could” is not probably, but the logic is there.
The Bucs, Carolina, Kansas City and New England all were awarded rights in Germany, a huge and relatively untapped market for individual teams. I’m hearing each team could play a home game in Germany, one per year, in 2022-25. That’s not set in stone. But Tampa has the sexiest home schedule in football in 2022, with the Bucs hosting the Rams, Seattle, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Green Bay and Kansas City, and assuming Brady returns for a 23rd season at age 45, the attraction of the Bucs versus any of those six or even a division foe would be tremendous for the first NFL regular-season game ever on German soil.
One other factor of interest: Bucs co-chair Joel Glazer is the chair of the NFL’s International Committee. It’s an interesting story to watch.
This has Joe so stoked that Joe’s about ready to file the paperwork for a passport right now (no, Joe has never been overseas, never crossed the border south or north, never been to one of the islands.) Joe thinks the Bucs playing in Germany, potentially, would be awesome.
A “home” game (remember, the Bucs will have an extra home game this fall) in Munich in October? You see where Joe is connecting the dots, right? At least the Krauts care about American football unlike that other foreign land which creepy Bob Kraft has a fetish with (other than Jupiter strip mall rub joints, allegedly).
October in Bavaria? Sounds a helluva lot better than, say, Charlotte in November. Sign Joe up!
Please make this happen, Team Glazer!
January 11th, 2022 at 10:48 am
I’ve always been partial to German women, especially when they have sizeable jugs… of beer.
January 11th, 2022 at 10:52 am
Large jugs in that pic. I mean mugs. Yah mugs
January 11th, 2022 at 10:56 am
@Joe: You’re going to get blasted for using that word.
January 11th, 2022 at 10:56 am
Ausgezeichnet!
January 11th, 2022 at 10:56 am
Can the NFL be any more conservative? Gigantic pandemic that is said to be fastest spreading strain and they wanna travel halfway across the globe for a game? How the hell would Germany let this happen?
January 11th, 2022 at 11:03 am
How about we play an away game there. That is 1 less true home game. Why make it harder on your team? Not only that but this is “OUR” team! Don’t cheat us out of an opportunity to see the Bucs in person.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:09 am
Jeeesh Joe get out and live a little.
I think I have been to at Least as many countries as I have states. Could be more if you count layovers.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:10 am
NFL had games in England this season. Didn’t notice any superspreader event.
It’s Germany. Not like Bucs are going to play in Laos or Paraguay or Congo or something.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:14 am
do neither of the joes have passports and not been outside the US or just one of the joes? lots to see out there joe!
Yes, one Joe has been to Mexico and Canada multiple times. –Joe
January 11th, 2022 at 11:15 am
All sorts of things in this country Joe wants to experience first. Never had a burning desire to go to Europe. Germany or Italy maybe.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:17 am
Prefer Germany over England or Mexico!
January 11th, 2022 at 11:19 am
Why does it always have to be a “home” game when we play overseas? We get screwed out of a home game way too often for it to be a coincidence.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:21 am
Great time to push the TB12 Method post Oktoberfest frivolities!!
January 11th, 2022 at 11:21 am
As far as the “home” game, Bucs will still have eight home games in Tampa like normal.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:22 am
KingLDavid gets it.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:22 am
And next season the Bucs are scheduled to get an extra home game. This is BS.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:28 am
Joe – i went to the game in england in 2019. great atmosphere until jameis totally blew the game. i was done with him after that game as that was a serious low point.
lots of buc fans there from all over europe including UK and Germany. I live in Canada and buc fans here (lots of many different teams) but buc nation is everywhere and alive and well!!
January 11th, 2022 at 11:28 am
Cool, so the Bucs lose the advantage of having an additional home game and we’re talking about giving up home field vs one the top teams in the NFL. Football is an American sport, leave it here. It’s not like the NFL doesn’t make enough money. If other countries want to play football they can create their own damn league
January 11th, 2022 at 11:30 am
I don’t like the Bucs losing a home game, regardless of where it is.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:39 am
I was stationed in Baumholder Germany 1993 to 1997 and it was great. I would love to return before my dirt nap.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:42 am
Screw that. Sick of the Bucs playing overseas– even though it’s been awhile. An extra away game this year followed by a “Home” away game next year. No thanks.
Hard to tell someone who doesn’t want to go anywhere that you’re missing out Joe, but as someone who has worked and traveled all over the world, it’s an amazing place. With that said, a good friend in his 50s has only been out of Florida a few times and is just fine with that.
January 11th, 2022 at 11:44 am
@”..It’s Germany. Not like Bucs are going to play in Laos or Paraguay or Congo or something..”
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Damn right!
January 11th, 2022 at 11:45 am
Yes Joe we do have 8 home games but we are scheduled for 9. Let’s have home field advantage for ALL 9!
January 11th, 2022 at 11:51 am
If it’s during Octoberfest, I’d make the trip!!
January 11th, 2022 at 11:54 am
As a Bucs fan in Greece i would welcome something like that with joy. I was able to attend my 1st Bucs game in London at 2019 vs the stinky cats (also Seahawks vs Raiders at 2018). I plan to visit Tampa and Ray Jay someday sometime in the future but a game per year in Germany will be most welcome. I know that many of you Bucs fans there in Tampa not like when the team gives away a home game to play an international game but it gives Us Bucs fan in Europe a chance to watch the team close and also is not like you are selling out every game there. Anyway if this happens and any of you Joes or Ira travel to Germany i will be happy to meet you guys. Gooooo Bucs (dont sell tickets to the Philly fans)
January 11th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
Anything that takes them away from the RayJay when they are succeeding and having home field advantage — bad idea. When they suck again, sure.
January 11th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
At least go to Key West. It’s almost like being in another country.
January 11th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
I love Germany and much of northern Europe is underrated as a travel destination. In fact, I suggest visiting Sweden around Christmas; make friends and get invited to a Lucia. The beautiful girls with candles in their hair are breathtaking, and the mulled wine and aquavit vodka will fortify you against the cold nights (in case you cannot find a companion).
January 11th, 2022 at 12:19 pm
If it were an exhibition game, I’d say fine. I am opposed to playing NFL football anywhere other than the 50 US states.
This is just a straight money grab. It benefits none of the teams “home” or “away”!
I would like to visit Germany at some point in my life. Just not for a Bucs game.
January 11th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
I like Germany, most people speak English in the big cities, rural not so much and my German has all but disappeared over the years… Octoberfest is a blast!, Mid September to first few days of October. So hopefully the Bucs play then.
January 11th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Frankfurt has a big NFL fan base.
January 11th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Most of Octoberfest is actually in September, so unless that game is on 10/2, then you better get there sooner!
January 11th, 2022 at 12:48 pm
Guys, calm down. Oktoberfest (yes, it’s written with a ‘k’) is in September and the city of Munich won’t let two events happen at the same time.
But Munich is well woth the visit anyway. You’ll get the beer without the Oktoberfest and the stadium (Allianz Arena) is a real beauty!
January 11th, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Ends in “Oktober,” no?
Good if the NFL has the Bucs play there a bit later. Less crowds. Munich doesn’t go dry after Oktoberfest. 🙂
January 11th, 2022 at 12:55 pm
Read that. Also read (a couple of times) the best TV ratings in Europe for NFL games is Germany. NFL games do quite well on there on TV.
January 11th, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Been there. Pretty cool.
Been to Little Havana too.
January 11th, 2022 at 1:14 pm
#8 lol. I only took a couple years of german in high school, bit that was always one of my favourite words.. just liked saying it
January 11th, 2022 at 1:21 pm
Hard pass. Go to Germany sure. Use up a “home” game to shaft fans no. There was enough of that crap done during the decade of depression to the fan base.
January 11th, 2022 at 1:56 pm
SOEbuc Says:
January 11th, 2022 at 10:56 am
Can the NFL be any more conservative? Gigantic pandemic that is said to be fastest spreading strain and they wanna travel halfway across the globe for a game? How the hell would Germany let this happen?
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Have you looked around dummy? Haven’t you notice everyone has got sick in the last few weeks, and those that haven’t will in the next week, maybe two at the most.
After that, this thing is over. These things don’t go on forever, no matter how much you nutjobs hope and pray it does. These things generally show-up, last about 2-years, then suddenly disappear, that’s how it’s gone all throughout recorded history. So unless your comrades in communist China modified this before it leaked from their lab, this is it, this is how it ends, and it literally could all be over in just a few weeks.
January 11th, 2022 at 1:58 pm
I’m a bit of a historian, and German tends to pop-up quite a bit in my readings, turns out they’ve played a major role in direction of the globe over the last 110-years or so…
January 11th, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Dang Joe, you gotta get outta the country and explore the world a little bit!
January 11th, 2022 at 2:25 pm
unbelievable Says:
January 11th, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Dang Joe, you gotta get outta the country and explore the world a little bit!
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Don’t listen Joe. Nothing else to see, the rest of the world is just a bunch of old crap covered in mold, and jackballs who don’t speak english. If you want that experience, just go to New York.
January 11th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Anything that takes away “Another” home game, is not a good thing. Another because they have given up home games to play in London already in years past.
They played an extra road game at Indy this year. No, sorry, why take from the Bucs again. I mean you are going to give away a home game and ADD extra travel, no thanks
Why not use one of their road games where travel is already involved.
GO BUCS!!!
January 11th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
I was married to a German woman and they do love their soccer. Just make sure the NFL game doesn’t conflict with a world cup game or those other European soccer league games.
I think the NFL is playing the long game expanding into Europe in the future. Eventually there will be SST travel again so travel time won’t be any worse than cross country travel now. Someday we’ll be rooting for the Berlin Bombers to beat the Hong Kong Yellowskins help the Bucs get to the playoffs. Also, consider this, the Stockholm NFL team would have the Swedish Bikini team for cheerleaders!
January 11th, 2022 at 4:01 pm
Lived in Italy for 4 years, you are missing out on all that Europe has to offer!!
January 11th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
lol Rod. Sounds like you need to get out a little too.
January 11th, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Stop Taking My Home Games!!!
January 11th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Joe
“NFL had games in England this season. Didn’t notice any superspreader event.
It’s Germany. Not like Bucs are going to play in Laos or Paraguay or Congo or something.
Because Europe isn’t extremely stupid when it comes to the sickness. Those are poor countries filled with the pandemic you stated and they’re not happy. I’m sure they’d be much smarter than the US if they had supplies. Too many big reason NO ONE of other respectable countries, including Canada right over the boarder for goodness sake, will give Americans permanent residency.
Did people not see how NFL Covid lists and rules went way up this year? Doesn’t make since to me.
January 11th, 2022 at 5:11 pm
SoE, Stop with the chicken little sky is falling bs, no one with a quarter of a brain is remotely concerned with your sickness.
January 11th, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Man, a game in Germany … I understand your grumbling, but – what a dream scenario ;-))
Greetings from Germany from a fan since `98
January 11th, 2022 at 6:52 pm
Pretty cool. With much of space flight being taken over by private companies and with them making all kinds of new fangled, super fast spacecraft, putting a team anywhere in the world is going to be viable. I just hope that the leprechauns don’t steal our team and turn them into the Munich Buccaneers.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:11 pm
unbelievable Says:
January 11th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
lol Rod. Sounds like you need to get out a little too.
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I’ve been to Epcot, visited every country there, so I don’t need to get out.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:18 pm
If the Bucs play in Germany, I will do my best to be there. In 2016, I ran the Berlin Marathon and then headed to Munich for Oktoberfest. What a blast! Munich is a beautiful city. A game there in October will be fun and pleasant. Go Bucs!!!!
January 11th, 2022 at 11:13 pm
Its stupid. Germany keeps talking about lockdowns and all sorts of 1984 stuff. All you need is another variant and they will cancel the game. Or they will be like Australia who is right now locking professional tennis players in their rooms.
And yes it is a disadvantage to lose the home game. Everyone else in the conference has 9 home games, we’d have only 8. Every time the Bucs played in London we gave up home games. And those never worked in our favor. We played horribly. I even remember when one of the Glazers came out publicly and said we aren’t going to do that anymore.
Notice they never make the Patriots or Cowboys or Packers give up a home game.
January 12th, 2022 at 12:02 am
SOE, no one said you have to leave your basement.