May 27, 2006
NFL Europe

Jim Connelly outlines the plans going forward for the NFL Europe League. (waynepaulo.com)

NFL Europe Managing Director Jim Connelly today outlined plans for the future of the NFLEL.

Speaking to media before the kickoff of Yello Strom World Bowl XIV in Düsseldorf, Connelly listed several recommendations that have been approved by NFL Europe League’s Advisory Board.

He said: “This will give a sense for what our fans will see going forward in this league as we continue to get closer to our goal of establishing American football as a major spectator and participation sport in Europe.”

Those recommendations include:

• Retention of current line-up and market locations for our six teams for 2007
• Recommendation to push start of season back two weeks to a start date of April 7, 2007 with World Bowl XV on June 16.
• Relocation of league HQ office from London to Frankfurt, with a 23-person office up and operating this fall.
• Plan to retain more players on each team every year, having players remain in market year-round to work on youth efforts, PR etc therefore becoming permanent members of their NFL Europe teams.
• Employment of a highly-qualified American coach in the Frankfurt office to oversee a stepped-up plan to develop more German players.
• Plan to license investors for two teams, starting with the 2007 season, and to license a local operator for a third team in 2008
• Launch of a new league branding strategy to create closer identification with the NFL, establish direct links between NFL teams and individual NFLEL teams.

Connelly added: “In addition, the Board heard updates on the status of other German markets that remain interested in securing an NFLEL franchise. The top two market candidates are Hanover and Leipzig. These discussions and levels of interest will serve us well when we finally implement expansion and we remain optimistic we can attain our long-term goal of an eight-team, two-division, 12- game season by 2010.”