NFL Europe explained

NFL Europe
Formerly:World League of American Football (1991)
World League (1992, 1995–97)
NFL Europa (2007)
Sport:American football
Founded:July 19, 1989[1]
Folded:July 29, 2007
Inaugural:1991
Teams:10 (1991–1992)
6 (1995–2007)
Divisions:3 (1991–1992)
Countries:Canada (1991–92)
Germany (1991–92, 1995–2007)
Netherlands (1995–2007)
Spain (1991–92, 1995–2003)
United Kingdom (1991–92, 1995–2004)
United States (1991–92)
Champion:Hamburg Sea Devils (1)
Most Champs:Frankfurt Galaxy (4)
Related Comps:National Football League

NFL Europe League (simply called NFL Europe and known in its final season as NFL Europa) was a professional American football league that functioned as the developmental minor league of the National Football League (NFL). Originally founded in 1989 as the World League of American Football (or WLAF), the league was envisioned as a transatlantic league encompassing teams from both North America and Europe. Initially, the WLAF consisted of seven teams in North America and three in Europe. It began play in 1991 and lasted for two seasons before suspending operations; while the league had been "wildly popular" in Europe, it failed to achieve success in North America. After a two-year hiatus, it returned as a six-team European league, with teams based in England, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Spain. NFL Europa was dissolved in 2007 due to its continued unprofitability and the NFL's decision to shift its focus towards hosting regular-season games in Europe; at the time of its closure, the league consisted of five German teams and one team based in the Netherlands.

The league operated under rules nearly identical to the NFL, but featured some differences and experimental rules changes designed to appeal to fans of association football (soccer) and rugby football. NFL teams were incentivized to allocate players through the granting of additional training camp positions for each allocated player, and each team in NFL Europe was required to employ a number of "local" players. Most of the league's players were American, with "local" players tending to be converted rugby or soccer players playing at the punter or placekicker positions. Several NFL Europe alumni – including quarterbacks Brad Johnson, Kurt Warner, and Jake Delhomme – went on to have successful careers in the NFL, and three NFL Europe alumni (Adam Vinatieri, Dante Hall, and Brian Moorman) made the National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team.

The league's schedule went through several formats throughout its existence, but each season always culminated in the championship World Bowl game. In its initial run, each team played a ten-game schedule, and the winners of each of the three divisions (Europe, North America East, and North America West), along with the team with the best record that didn't win a division, would play in a four-team playoff. Following its revival as a six-team European league, the ten-game schedule was retained as double round-robin regular season. From 1995 to 1997, the World Bowl was played between the team with the best record in the first half of the season and the team with the best record in the second half of the season; from 1998 on, the two teams with the best records across the entire season played in the World Bowl. The Frankfurt Galaxy – the only team to play all 15 seasons of the league's existence – won the most World Bowl titles (four) and recorded the most World Bowl appearances (eight), while the final league title was won by the Hamburg Sea Devils.

History

Founding and origins

In 1974, the National Football League (NFL) announced plans to launch a professional American football league in Europe, the Intercontinental Football League (IFL). Aiming for a launch in the spring of 1975, the IFL would feature six teams (located in Istanbul, Rome, Munich, West Berlin, Vienna, and Barcelona, respectively) and would be a satellite league of the NFL, with initial funds made by the NFL owners and the rosters consisting of "second-line athletes and rookies from established NFL teams".[2] The brainchild of Bob Kap, the proposed league had already sold six franchises and had secured the rights to loan players from the NFL.[3] The league had also pre-selected four more cities for expansion teams, and Al Davis and Tex Schramm were assigned to head the committee that would put the league together. The IFL did not materialize – the Pro Football Researchers Association attributed this failure to Europe not being ready for American football, potential competition with the World Football League (WFL), a players' strike during the summer of 1974, and the recession. Another factor was the turmoil in Europe in 1974: Turkey had invaded Cyprus, the American ambassador to Cyprus had been assassinated, Basque separatists had assassinated the prime minister of Spain, and terrorist groups like the Red Brigades had engaged in kidnapping. The State Department discouraged NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle from pursuing the league, and the IFL also suffered a potentially fatal blow when Pan American World Airways, who Kap had brought on as a sponsor, pulled out of the project. Ultimately, Rozelle deemed the creation of the league "impractical".

By 1980, the popularity of American football was increasing in Europe without any push by the NFL. The NFL capitalized on this newfound interest by holding American Bowl games (pre-season exhibition contests held overseas), and the popularity of these games, particularly in London, led to a renewed interest from Rozelle in creating an American football league in Europe. In 1989, the NFL announced plans to create an international spring football league. The NFL initially wanted the new league to be known as the International Football League, but it had to change the name after discovering that the name was already owned by Donald Trump and Charley Finley, who were allegedly in the process of forming their own league (which would never come to fruition). The name World League of American Football (WLAF) was eventually settled on; this name was chosen to avoid associating it with the dissolved World Football League, and the term "American football" was included in the league's name because "football" in Europe typically refers to association football, known in the United States as soccer. The NFL and WLAF attempted to downplay its status as a minor league and refused to acknowledge the WLAF as a farm league of the NFL. The NFL approved the creation of the WLAF in July 1989, with Schramm to head up the project and the league expected to begin play in 1990 or 1991. The league was expected to have 12 teams (six in the United States, four in Europe, one in Canada and one in Mexico),[4] and it secured a two-year television deal with ABC and a four-year television deal with USA Network to air regular and post-season games.[5] Schramm was fired as league president in October 1990 due to differences between him and the NFL as to the direction the WLAF would take; Schramm had wanted the WLAF to be an "independent, major international league which would be strong enough to stand on its own feet", while the NFL had wanted the WLAF to be a small league with close ties to the NFL.[6]

On November 14, 1990, the WLAF announced it would begin play in 1991 with ten teams (six of them in the United States, three of them in Europe, and one in Canada) split into three divisions (North America West, North America East, and Europe). A 50-game schedule stretching from March 23, 1991, to May 27, 1991, was agreed upon, and a draft was held from February 14, 1991, to February 24, 1991. Unlike the NFL draft, the World League draft was a position-by-position draft – potential draftees were divided into ten position groups, meaning each of the ten teams would have the number-one pick at a position group. All players were to receive a base salary of $20,000, but players could receive more money by meeting performance-based incentives with a maximum total salary of $100,000.[7] Each NFL team could allocate up to four players to the WLAF, although only two, the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs opted to do so.[8]

WLAF/World League (1991–92)

The World League of American Football, described by The New York Times as the "first trans-Atlantic major sports league", began play on March 23, 1991, with three games held in Frankfurt, Germany, Birmingham, Alabama, and Sacramento, California, respectively.[9] After the conclusion of the regular season, the WLAF playoffs were held, featuring the three division champions (London Monarchs, New York/New Jersey Knights, and Birmingham Fire) and one wild-card team (Barcelona Dragons).[10] London and Barcelona won their playoff games to meet in World Bowl '91 at Wembley Stadium, which London won 21–0.[11]

Following its first season, the World League of American Football was at risk of folding. It suffered a loss of nearly $7 million, and none of its teams made a profit. In addition to the monetary loss for the league, television ratings on ABC and USA network were poor. According to Dan Rooney, the NFL chairman of the World League, cost estimates were accurate, but the league overestimated the amount of revenue the WLAF would make. The league's television contracts were also at risk due to poor ratings, with USA Network having lost money.[12] The WLAF averaged around 26,000 fans a game in its first season; the European teams had a higher attendance than the North American teams, bolstering the average. Ultimately, the NFL decided to bring the league back for a second season in 1992. The league name was shortened to World League by league officials, who felt the surprising success of the league in Europe made the "American football" part unnecessary, and the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks folded, replaced by the Ohio Glory.[13]

NFL Europe/Europa (1995–2007)

Although the league was "wildly popular" in Europe, with attendance averaging 45,000 for the London Monarchs, it was "ignored" in the United States. The World League suspended play for the 1993 and 1994 season before returning in 1995 as a six-team, exclusively European league. All three of the original European teams returned, along with the Birmingham Fire, who were rebooted as the Düsseldorf-based Rhein Fire, and two additional new teams (the Amsterdam Admirals and Scottish Claymores). Each team was required to have seven "local" players on their 40-man roster.[14] Fox became a co-owner of the WLAF and a major financial contributor in return for broadcasting rights.[15] The league was renamed the NFL Europe League (NFLEL) in 1998, and the London Monarchs were renamed the England Monarchs in an attempt to spur attendance, which had fallen below 10,000 per game.[16] The Monarchs would fold the following season and were replaced by the Berlin Thunder.[17]

NFL Europe commemorated its 10th season in 2002, but still remained far from being profitable. The league announced a three-year with the soccer club FC Barcelona to jointly promote American football in Europe and soccer in the United States; the Barcelona Dragons franchise was renamed FC Barcelona Dragons.[18] The collaboration with FC Barcelona would prove to be unsuccessful, however, and the Barcelona Dragons would fold after the 2003 season due to declining attendance.[19] The team's attendance had fallen to under 7,000 per game, a 50% decline since the 1997 season, when the team had won the World Bowl.[20] The Dragons were replaced by the Cologne Centurions in 2004, and the following year the Scottish Claymores folded; although the team boasted the largest following of any Scottish sports team outside the Old Firm, averaging 10,799 per game, the league had determined an additional German team could bring in 30,000 per game.

The Claymores were replaced the following year by the Hamburg Sea Devils, which left the Amsterdam Admirals as the only team in the league not to be based in Germany. This was part of a strategic pivot to Germany, which had been the most receptive country to the league and the sport in general.[21] Accordingly, the league changed its name to NFL Europa in 2006, ahead of the league's 15th season, to reflect the league's focus on Germany and the Netherlands.[22]

Closure and legacy

On July 29, 2007, less than a week after World Bowl XV, the NFL announced the closure of NFL Europa. The league had been losing a reported US$30 million a year, and the NFL had decided to shift their strategy in marketing football abroad towards holding NFL regular-season games outside the United States.[23] The NFL owners who funded the league were reportedly dissatisfied with NFL Europa's lack of revenue as well as its decreasing success in player development.[24] The league had nearly folded in 2003, when eight of the 32 NFL owners voted against funding it, one short of the nine votes needed to end the league, and its gradual progression into a German-dominated league had run counter to the NFL's goals of selling merchandise throughout the European continent.[25] The league's inability to garner a live television contract with local media markets also played a role in its demise, as the potential revenue from a deal could have helped the league financially.

Andrei S. Markovits and Lars Rensmann described the league as an "abysmal failure", noting its poor quality of play, frequent name changes, and franchise relocations as well as the accessibility of regular NFL games in Europe as reasons for its collapse.[26] Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com noted that the league had strayed from its original goal, with the allocation system of players gradually being abused to amass training camp exemptions rather than to develop players. John Mara, the co-owner of the New York Giants, said that the league "had some useful purpose in developing players" and that it helped the NFL determine that there was an interest in American football in Europe.[27]

Looking back on NFL Europe in 2017, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com noted its strong record in developing quarterbacks: Kurt Warner (a Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP), Brad Johnson (who won a Super Bowl in 2002 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Jake Delhomme (who led the Carolina Panthers to an NFC championship in 2003), and journeyman quarterback Jon Kitna all spent time in NFL Europe.[28] Two NFL Europe alumni (kicker Adam Vinatieri and return specialist Dante Hall) were included on the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team.[29] The league also provided an opportunity for the NFL to experiment with rules and to develop officials and coaches. Some NFL coaches and executives have suggested reviving the concept of a developmental league,[30] and several independent leagues have been created to fill the need, but with little success. At a press conference before Super Bowl LI, league commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL had been "actively considering" creating a new developmental league.[31]

Since the closure of NFL Europa, the NFL has held regular-season games annually in London[32] and has also hosted regular-season games in Mexico City and Toronto.[33] The league is pursuing the goal of a franchise in London, as well as potential regular-season games in China.[34] In 2021, the NFL announced it was looking for partners to host a regular-season game in Germany.[35] In 2022, the league announced four regular-season games would be held in Germany, the first set for November 13, 2022 between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks to be played at Munich's Allianz Arena. NFL.com writer Judy Battista noted Germany was the "fastest-growing international community" for the league, and attributed this in part to the popularity of the former NFL Europe's German teams, but argued the large number of expats as well as the American military presence were greater factors.[36]

In 2007, fans and former members of the Frankfurt Galaxy – the most successful of NFL Europe's teams on the field and in crowd attendance – created the Frankfurt Universe.[37] The new team was promoted to the German Football League 2 in 2011, and won promotion to the German Football League (GFL) in 2015.[38] The European League of Football (ELF), a pan-European league that began play in 2021,[39] signed an agreement with the NFL allowing them to utilize the branding of the former teams of NFL Europe.[40] The ELF's Barcelona Dragons, Berlin Thunder, Cologne Centurions, Hamburg Sea Devils, Frankfurt Galaxy, and Rhein Fire all share the names and imagery of their NFL Europe predecessors.[41]

Season structure and development

2007 NFL Europa standings
Team
Hamburg Sea Devils73.700
Frankfurt Galaxy73.700
Cologne Centurions64.600
Rhein Fire46.400
Amsterdam Admirals46.400
Berlin Thunder28.200

This chart demonstrates the league's table for the 2007 season. From 1998 to 2007, each team played 10 games (a home and away game against every other team in the league), and the top two teams at the end of the season (highlighted in green) qualified for the championship game, the World Bowl. The Hamburg Sea Devils won the game 37–28, securing the league's championship.[42]

From 1991 to 1992, the ten-team WLAF was split into three divisions: North America East, North America West, and Europe with a ten-game regular season schedule. All three division champions, in addition to the team with the best record who didn't win its division, made the playoffs. The winners of the two playoff games played for the league championship in the World Bowl.[43] The ten game schedule was retained upon the league's return in 1995, but was modified with the new six-team format. Each team played every other team twice in a double round-robin regular season. Following the regular season, two teams would be selected for the World Bowl; the team that led the league's standings after week five would host the game, and the team with the best overall record at the end of the season would be their opponent.[44] This format was criticized for making the second half of the league's season less competitive, and beginning with the 1998 season it was changed to have the two teams with the best overall records play in the World Bowl instead.[45]

The league played under standard NFL rules, with several exceptions.[46] In an effort to appeal to fans of rugby and soccer, the league instituted rules to speed up the pace of the game and awarded four points for field goals made from beyond 50 yards as opposed to the typical three points.[47] Rule changes instituted upon the league's revival in 1995 included the creation of the defensive two-point conversion, referred to by the league as the "deuce", as well as only requiring receivers to have one foot in bounds on a completed pass. The regular-season overtime period consisted of a single 10-minute quarter where both teams were required to have control of the ball at least once, and the play clock was set to 35 seconds. Starting with the 1997 season, the league required the receiver to have two feet in bounds for a completed pass. Ties were possible in the league, with two (a 1992 game between the London Monarchs and Birmingham Fire and a 2006 game between the Berlin Thunder and Hamburg Sea Devils) occurring in league history.[48]

NFL teams were allowed to allocate players to NFL Europe. In exchange for doing this, they were awarded with exemptions for training camp, allowing them to bring more players than would otherwise be allowed. A certain number of players on each team of NFL Europe were required to be "local players", and at least two local players were required to be on the field at all times during games. Despite this, most of the league's most prominent players were Americans; "local players" were often converted rugby or soccer players playing as punters or placekickers.[49]

Teams

World League of American Football/World League (1991–92)

Location!style=background:white scope="col"
Teamsstyle=background:white scope="col"Citystyle=background:white scope="col"Seasons
Europe Barcelona DragonsBarcelona, Spain1991–92
Frankfurt GalaxyFrankfurt, Germany1991–92
London MonarchsLondon, United Kingdom1991–92
North America East Montreal MachineMontreal, Quebec1991–92
New York/New Jersey KnightsEast Rutherford, New Jersey[50] 1991–92
Ohio GloryColumbus, Ohio[51] 1992
Orlando ThunderOrlando, Florida1991–92
Raleigh-Durham SkyhawksRaleigh, North Carolina[52] 1991
North America West Birmingham FireBirmingham, Alabama1991–92
San Antonio RidersSan Antonio, Texas1991–92
Sacramento SurgeSacramento, California1991–92

World League/NFL Europe League/NFL Europa (1995–2007)

Teams!style=background:white scope="col"
City[53] style=background:white scope="col"Seasons
Amsterdam AdmiralsAmsterdam, Netherlands1995–2007
Barcelona / FC Barcelona DragonsBarcelona, Spain1995–2003
Berlin ThunderBerlin, Germany1999–2007
Cologne CenturionsCologne, Germany2004–07
Frankfurt GalaxyFrankfurt, Germany1995–2007
Hamburg Sea DevilsHamburg, Germany2005–07
London / England MonarchsLondon, United Kingdom1995–98
Rhein FireDüsseldorf, Germany[54] 1995–2007
Scottish ClaymoresEdinburgh, United Kingdom (1995–2000)
Glasgow, United Kingdom (2000–04)[55]
1995–2004

Timeline

DateFormat = yyyyImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20Period = from:1991 till:2008TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalLegend = orientation:horizontal position:bottomPlotArea = right:100 left:5 bottom:70 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#

Colors = id:line value:pink id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) legend:Final_league_member id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) legend:Former_league_member

PlotData=

width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s bar:1 color:Full from:1991 till:1993 text:Frankfurt Galaxy (1991–92, 1995–2007) bar:1 color:Full from:1995 till:end

bar:2 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:Birmingham Fire (1991–92) bar:2 color:Full from:1995 till:end text:Rhein Fire (1995–2007)

bar:3 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:Barcelona Dragons (1991–92, 1995–2001, 2003) bar:3 color:Former from:1995 till:2002 bar:3 color:Former from:2002 till:2003 text:FC Barcelona Dragons (2002) bar:3 color:Former from:2003 till:2004

bar:4 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:London Monarchs (1991–92, 1995–97) bar:4 color:Former from:1995 till:1998 bar:4 color:Former from:1998 till:1999 text:England Monarchs (1998)

bar:5 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:Montreal Machine (1991–92)

bar:6 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:New York/New Jersey Knights (1991–92)

bar:7 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:Orlando Thunder (1991–92)

bar:8 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:Sacramento Surge (1991–92)

bar:9 color:Former from:1991 till:1993 text:San Antonio Riders (1991–92)

bar:10 color:Former from:1991 till:1992 text:Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks (1991)

bar:11 color:Former from:1992 till:1993 text:Ohio Glory (1992)

bar:12 color:Full from:1995 till:end text:Amsterdam Admirals (1995–2007)

bar:13 color:Former from:1995 till:2005 text:Scottish Claymores (1995–2004)

bar:14 color:Full from:1999 till:end text:Berlin Thunder (1999–2007)

bar:15 color:Full from:2004 till:end text:Cologne Centurions (2004–07)

bar:16 color:Full from:2005 till:end text:Hamburg Sea Devils (2005–07)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1992TextData = fontsize:L textcolor:black pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center) text:

Trophy and awards

NFL Europe presented several awards and honors. The World Bowl trophy, awarded to the winners of the annual World Bowl game, was a 40-pound glass globe.[56] The winning team also received championship rings[57] Other awards included regular season most valuable player awards on offense and defense, a coach of the year award, and an award for the World Bowl MVP. The league also awarded offensive, defensive, special teams, and national players of the week,[58] and named an all-league team at the end of the season.

Award winners

SeasonTeamTeamTeamRef.
1991 London Monarchs Birmingham Fire London Monarchs[59] [60]
London Monarchs
New York/New Jersey Knights
1992 Sacramento Surge Barcelona Dragons Orlando Thunder[61] [62] [63]
1995 Frankfurt Galaxy Amsterdam Admirals Frankfurt Galaxy[64] [65]
1996 Scottish Claymores Scottish Claymores Scottish Claymores[66]
1997 Rhein Fire Scottish Claymores (2) Rhein Fire[67]
1998 Rhein Fire Barcelona Dragons Frankfurt Galaxy[68]
1999 Barcelona Dragons Barcelona Dragons (2) Frankfurt Galaxy[69]
2000 Scottish Claymores Berlin Thunder (3) Rhein Fire[70]
Scottish Claymores
2001 Barcelona Dragons Amsterdam Admirals Barcelona Dragons[71]
2002 Rhein Fire Rhein Fire Berlin Thunder[72]
2003 Scottish Claymores Frankfurt Galaxy Frankfurt Galaxy[73]
2004 Berlin Thunder Frankfurt Galaxy Berlin Thunder[74]
2005 Berlin Thunder Berlin Thunder Amsterdam Admirals[75]
2006 Amsterdam Admirals Amsterdam Admirals Frankfurt Galaxy[76]
Cologne Centurions
2007 Cologne Centurions Cologne Centurions Hamburg Sea Devils[77]
J. T. O'Sullivan Frankfurt Galaxy

Television coverage

1991–92

In the United States, television coverage was provided by the ABC and USA Network. The reported cost of the contracts varied. According to the Los Angeles Times, ABC committed to $28 million over two years, and USA Network committed to $25 million for the same length of time with an additional two-year option. Ratings were characterized as "poor" in the inaugural season, with ABC averaging a 2.1 rating and USA Network averaging a 1.2 rating.[78] Television ratings in the United States were "dismal" during the league's second season, with ABC averaging a 1.7 rating and USA Network averaging a 1.1 rating. As a result, ABC's payment was reduced to $3 million while USA saw theirs lowered to $10 million. According to The New York Times, USA Network was "not happy" with this arrangement and did not heavily promote the league as a result.[79]

International teams aired on different domestic networks. Montreal Machine games were aired in English on TSN and in French on RDS.[80] Coverage in Europe was mostly on satellite television. Eurosport showed games on delay and Super Channel aired the 1991 World Bowl.[81] In the United Kingdom, Channel 4 showed half-hour highlights of Monarchs games on Saturday mornings.[81] Larry Eichel of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that "The only way a Monarchs fan could watch the team's first-round playoff game from the Meadowlands was to go to Wembley to see it on closed circuit."[81]

1995–2007

The revived league's United Kingdom television coverage was mainly on Sky Sports, with additional coverage also on Channel 4,[82] [83] STV, and Carlton. Eight European continental broadcasters also showed games, including Germany's Vox and DSF.

Although the league no longer had any U.S. teams, it was covered on American television until its closure. Fox became a co-owner of the league in exchange for broadcasting rights, and following the relaunch all regular season games were broadcast on the FX network.[84] Fox ended its joint ownership with the league in 2000, but continued to air some games as a television partner.[85] In 2004, NFL Network began airing select NFL Europe games.[86] This was expanded to cover all NFL Europe games – including the World Bowl – in 2006.[87]

Records

Champions and runners-up

SeasonChampionWinsLossesRunner-upWinsLossesRef.
1991 London Monarchs91 Barcelona Dragons82[88]
1992 Sacramento Surge82 Orlando Thunder82[89]
1995 Frankfurt Galaxy64 Amsterdam Admirals91[90]
1996 Scottish Claymores73 Frankfurt Galaxy64[91]
1997 Barcelona Dragons55 Rhein Fire73[92]
1998 Rhein Fire73 Frankfurt Galaxy73[93]
1999 Frankfurt Galaxy (2)64 Barcelona Dragons73[94]
2000 Rhein Fire (2)73 Scottish Claymores64[95]
2001 Berlin Thunder64 Barcelona Dragons82[96]
2002 Berlin Thunder (2)64 Rhein Fire73[97]
2003 Frankfurt Galaxy (3)64 Rhein Fire64[98]
2004 Berlin Thunder (3)91 Frankfurt Galaxy73[99]
2005 Amsterdam Admirals64 Berlin Thunder73[100]
2006 Frankfurt Galaxy (4)73 Amsterdam Admirals73[101]
2007 Hamburg Sea Devils73 Frankfurt Galaxy73[102]

Win–loss records

TeamWinsLossesTiesChampionshipsSeasonsRef.
Amsterdam Admirals13068620.52311995–2007[103]
Barcelona / FC Barcelona Dragons11059510.53611991–92; 1995–2003
Berlin Thunder9042471.47231999–2007
Birmingham Fire201271.62501991–92
Cologne Centurions4020200.50002004–07
Frankfurt Galaxy15082680.54741991–92; 1995–2007
London / England Monarchs6026331.44211991–92; 1995–98
Hamburg Sea Devils3015141.51712005–07
Montreal Machine206140.30001991–92
New York/New Jersey Knights201190.55001991–92
Ohio Glory10190.10001992
Orlando Thunder201370.65001991–92
Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks100100.00001991
Rhein Fire13068620.52321995–2007
Sacramento Surge201190.55011991–92
San Antonio Riders201190.55001991–92
Scottish Claymores10043570.43011995–2004

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Global N.F.L. Game Plan: New League, New Lands. Eskenazi. Gerald. July 20, 1989. The New York Times. August 17, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150525121504/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/20/sports/global-nfl-game-plan-new-league-new-lands.html. May 25, 2015. live.
  2. Maher. Tod. 1992. Origins of the WLAF. The Coffin Corner. Pro Football Researchers Association. 14. 2. August 17, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20101218212452/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/14-02-455.pdf. December 18, 2010. dead.
  3. Ford. Mark L.. Foglio. Massimo. 2005. The First 'NFL Europe'. The Coffin Corner. Pro Football Researchers Association. 27. 6. August 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20150908021957/http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-06-1101.pdf. September 8, 2015. live.
  4. Web site: World League To Get TV Money. February 6, 1990. The Seattle Times. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000456/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19900206&slug=1054580. March 4, 2016. live.
  5. Web site: NFL Europe League Chronology. NFL.com. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20090719011048/http://www.nfl.com/europa/history. July 19, 2009. dead.
  6. Web site: Fired Schramm: NFL Narrowed Its View Of The World. Bricker. Charles. October 12, 1990. Sun-Sentinel. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222658/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-13/sports/9002190392_1_world-league-tex-schramm-nfl. March 3, 2016. live.
  7. Web site: WLAF Will Succeed With Tight Rein on Dollar, League President Believes. February 13, 1991. Los Angeles Times. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140528015156/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-02-13/sports/sp-1341_1_tight-end. May 28, 2014. live.
  8. Web site: W.L.A.F. Seasoning in the Sun. Thomas. George. May 5, 1991. The New York Times. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140528025341/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/05/sports/football-wlaf-seasoning-in-the-sun.html. May 28, 2014. live.
  9. Web site: Live From Barcelona: W.L.A.F.'s Kickoff on TV. Eskenazi. Gerald. March 24, 1991. The New York Times. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140528020205/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/24/sports/pro-football-live-from-barcelona-wlaf-s-kickoff-on-tv.html. May 28, 2014. live.
  10. News: Scoreboard. May 28, 1991. The Item. 4B. August 18, 2013. June 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220614211649/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O5IiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ha4FAAAAIBAJ&hl=de&pg=1430%2C6436739. live.
  11. One To Remember. Reilly. Rick. June 17, 1991. Sports Illustrated. August 18, 2013.
  12. Web site: Initials For W.L.A.F. May Soon Be R.I.P.. Smith. Timothy W.. August 25, 1991. The New York Times. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140528015843/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/25/sports/football-notebook-initials-for-wlaf-may-soon-be-rip.html. May 28, 2014. live.
  13. Web site: It's Baaack! World League Set to Begin Second Season. Eskenazi. Gerald. March 21, 1992. The New York Times. August 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150411085251/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/21/sports/football-it-s-baaack-world-league-set-to-begin-second-season.html. April 11, 2015. live.
  14. Web site: Cress . Doug . The New World League: Retooled, and Ready to Start Saturday . . August 10, 2019 . April 4, 1995 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190811004937/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/04/sports/IHT-the-new-world-leagueretooled-and-ready-to-start-saturday.html . August 11, 2019 . live .
  15. News: O'Hagan. Simon. Monarchs seek to rule the world. May 27, 2014. The Independent. March 26, 1995. https://web.archive.org/web/20140527230038/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/monarchs-seek-to-rule-the-world-1612828.html. May 27, 2014. live.
  16. News: Nick. Halling. London Monarchs to play World League matches at Stamford Bridge. May 27, 2014. The Independent. December 13, 1996. https://web.archive.org/web/20141122173730/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/american-football-london-monarchs-to-play-world-league-matches-at-stamford-bridge-1314380.html. November 22, 2014. live.
  17. Web site: Weaver . Paul . British Dolphin pursues long journey to top . . August 11, 2019 . October 24, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190811234032/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/oct/25/ussport . August 11, 2019 . live .
  18. News: Wade . Stephen . NFL Europe Begins 10th Season . . August 12, 2019 . April 10, 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812015545/https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/NFL-Europe-Begins-10th-Season-7133007.php . August 12, 2019 . live .
  19. Web site: Bicknell joins Claymores . . August 12, 2019 . October 28, 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812015548/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/us_sport/3220881.stm . August 12, 2019 . live .
  20. Web site: Barcelona disbands NFL Europe franchise . . August 12, 2019 . October 28, 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812015543/https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/10/28/Barcelona-disbands-NFL-Europe-franchise/21391067365479/ . August 12, 2019 . live .
  21. Web site: Tzortzis . Andreas . Germany Embraces the 'Other' Football . . August 12, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812021533/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-embraces-the-other-football/a-1423336 . August 12, 2019 . live .
  22. Web site: Welcome to NFL Europa . November 10, 2006. NFL Europe. August 11, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061115123821/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9802525 . November 15, 2006. dead.
  23. Web site: Passport expires: NFL Europa folds after 16 years . . August 7, 2019 . en . June 29, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181016035437/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2920738 . October 16, 2018 . live .
  24. Web site: Pasquarelli. Len. NFL Europa failed to produce players, profits. May 24, 2014. ESPN.com. June 29, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20140525213529/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=2920635. May 25, 2014. live.
  25. Web site: Bouchette . Ed . Will NFL Europe survive? It's a developing situation . . August 12, 2019 . May 16, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190808233956/https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2005/05/16/Will-NFL-Europe-survive-It-s-a-developing-situation/stories/200505160189 . August 8, 2019 . live .
  26. Book: Markovits . Andrei S. . Rensmann . Lars . Gaming the World: How Sports Are Reshaping Global Politics and Culture . 2013 . . 9780691162034 . 97–98 . 2019-08-12 . 2022-09-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203628/https://books.google.com/books?id=umqYDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=world+league+of+american+football+surprisingly+popular+in+europe&source=bl&ots=K9i-YOiV90&sig=ACfU3U2UmfKIqz-jOYCFUcVlKPIHdIunbQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj8lt7lyfjjAhWug-AKHZHpCTkQ6AEwD3oECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=world%20league%20of%20american%20football%20surprisingly%20popular%20in% . live .
  27. Web site: Sandomir . Richard . N.F.L. Pulls the Plug on Its League in Europe . . August 13, 2019 . June 30, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190716164854/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/30/sports/football/30nfl.html . July 16, 2019 . live .
  28. Web site: Seifert . Kevin . Ranking QBs who benefited from NFL Europe . . August 12, 2019 . June 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190203180130/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19706757/ranking-quarterbacks-benefited-nfl-europe-kurt-warner-brad-johnson-jon-kitna-jake-delhomme . February 3, 2019 . live .
  29. Web site: Gold . Jon . 10 years after NFL Europe's demise, alumni remember league fondly . . August 12, 2019 . June 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190413043633/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19638357/oral-history-10-years-nfl-europe-demise-alumni-such-kurt-warner-remember-developmental-league-fondly . April 13, 2019 . live .
  30. Web site: Keeler . Sean . 'You didn't play to get rich': what killed NFL Europe? . . August 12, 2019 . June 23, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190724025334/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/23/you-didnt-play-to-get-rich-what-killed-nfl-europe . July 24, 2019 . live .
  31. Web site: McClymont . Michael . 6 takeaways from Goodell's state of the league press conference . February 2017 . . August 13, 2019 .
  32. Web site: Barrabi . Thomas . NFL 'nearer than ever' to permanent London team, exec says . . August 13, 2019 . October 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190813030433/https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/nfl-nearer-than-ever-to-permanent-london-team-exec-says . August 13, 2019 . live .
  33. Web site: Margolis . Jason . Many international fans of American football are 'born' on Super Bowl Sunday . . August 13, 2019 . en . February 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190813030436/https://www.pri.org/stories/2019-02-01/many-international-fans-american-football-are-born-super-bowl-sunday . August 13, 2019 . live .
  34. Breer . Albert . Game Plan: London is ready for NFL team; 2022 a target . . August 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190331033910/https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/21/nfl-london-team-international-series-europe-football . March 31, 2019 . live .
  35. Web site: NFL requesting proposals for future regular-season games in Germany . NFL . September 26, 2022 . June 9, 2021 . August 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810192810/https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-requesting-proposals-for-future-regular-season-games-in-germany . live .
  36. Web site: Battista . Judy . Tom Brady will take international stage in NFL's regular-season debut in Germany . NFL.com . September 26, 2022 . May 4, 2022 . September 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220924111804/https://www.nfl.com/news/tom-brady-will-take-international-stage-in-nfl-s-regular-season-debut-in-germany . live .
  37. Web site: Frankfurt Galaxy vor Auferstehung . . September 26, 2022 . de . https://archive.today/20150427145213/http://www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/sport/index.jsp?rubrik=6068&key=standard_document_52878439 . April 27, 2015.
  38. Web site: Chronik Frankfurt Universe . Frankfurt Universe . September 26, 2022 . de . March 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220318004623/http://www.frankfurt-universe.de/index.php/verein/chronik . live .
  39. Web site: Neues Hamburger Footballteam spielt im Stadion Hoheluft . . 17 February 2021 . German . 17 February 2021 . 17 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210217163437/https://www.abendblatt.de/sport/article231587759/Neues-Hamburger-Footballteam-spielt-im-Stadion-Hoheluft.html . live .
  40. Leinweber . Lorenz . European League of Football agrees to cooperation with the NFL . . September 23, 2022 . en . March 9, 2021 . September 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220923141056/https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/european-league-of-football-agrees-to-cooperation-with-the-nfl . live .
  41. Web site: D'Andrea . Christian . Why the NFL playing games in Germany makes too much sense for the league . . September 26, 2022 . February 9, 2022 . February 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215203351/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/02/nfl-germany-world-league-frankfurt-galaxy-about-damn-time . live .
  42. Web site: NFL Europe . NFL Europe . August 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070701065130/http://www.nfleurope.com/ . July 1, 2007.
  43. Web site: Dragons Make WLAF Playoffs . . May 28, 1991 . August 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190814021142/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-28-sp-2676-story.html . August 14, 2019 . live .
  44. Web site: A rookie's guide to the World League – the NFL's Spring League . WorldLeague.com . August 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/19970709131323/http://www.worldleague.com/general/facts/0409dummy.html . July 9, 1997. unfit.
  45. News: NFL Europe League kicks off Saturday . August 14, 2019 . . . April 3, 1998 . 18 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203633/https://www.newspapers.com/image/277092556/?terms=%22nfl%2Beurope%22%2B%22world%2Bbowl%22 . live .
  46. Web site: NFL Europe League Explanations . NFL Europe . August 11, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/19991122101735/http://nfleurope.com/news/explanations.htm . November 22, 1999. dead.
  47. Book: Gonsalves . Rick . Placekicking in the NFL: A History and Analysis . 2014 . . 978-0-7864-4879-1 . 277 . 2019-08-11 . 2022-09-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203647/https://books.google.com/books?id=GHQmAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA277&lpg=PA277&dq=nfl+europe+93+yard+field&source=bl&ots=dXtIbwcSlR&sig=ACfU3U0_lDEY70MRjU_sbAOEOuSeclaMlQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5kaSv1_rjAhUHneAKHS_7ADE4ChDoATACegQICBAB#v=onepage&q=nfl%20europe%2093%20yard%20field&f=false . live .
  48. Web site: All Tied Up. April 1, 2006. NFL Europe. August 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20061115142957/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9351720. November 15, 2006. dead.
  49. Web site: Andrews . Edmund L. . Selling the Other Football To the Europeans . . September 29, 2022 . June 27, 1999 . September 17, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170917032210/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/27/business/the-business-world-selling-the-other-football-to-the-europeans.html . live .
  50. Web site: DeLessio . Joe . What to Call Sports Teams That Play in Northern New Jersey: An Awkward History . . August 15, 2019 . en . January 22, 2014 . August 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190815182644/http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2014/01/history-of-northern-new-jersey-team-names.html . live .
  51. Web site: Oller . Rob . Football: Hard to believe, but Glory days are 20 years gone . . August 15, 2019 . en . September 9, 2014 . August 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190815182647/https://www.dispatch.com/article/20120909/SPORTS/309099810 . live .
  52. Web site: 50 things to know as N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium turns 50 . . October 7, 2016 . en . September 21, 2016 . August 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190815182642/https://www.greensboro.com/sports/college/accxtra/things-to-know-as-n-c-state-s-carter-finley/article_a9037f2d-0344-5f19-9582-8df97dc06413.html . live .
  53. Web site: Gold . Jon . 10 years after NFL Europe's demise, alumni remember league fondly . . August 15, 2019 . June 23, 2017 . April 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190413043633/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19638357/oral-history-10-years-nfl-europe-demise-alumni-such-kurt-warner-remember-developmental-league-fondly . live .
  54. Web site: Balf . Celia . Kurt Warner, Jake Delhomme found their way in Europe before NFL success . . September 28, 2022 . October 23, 2015 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929192836/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/s/kurt-warner--jake-delhomme-found-their-way-in-europe-before-making-mark-in-nfl-145639150.html . live .
  55. Web site: Axe falls on Scottish Claymores as league drop team 11,000 crowds not enough . . September 28, 2022 . en . October 21, 2004 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929192838/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12413956.axe-falls-on-scottish-claymores-as-league-drop-team-11000-crowds-not-enough/ . live .
  56. Web site: One to Remember . Sports Illustrated. Reilly. Rick. June 17, 1991. August 21, 2019 . August 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190821134140/https://www.si.com/vault/1991/06/17/124387/one-to-remember-football-was-king-when-london-won-the-first-world-bowl-way-back-in-1991 . dead .
  57. Web site: The 46 best football players on Wall Street . Business Insider. La Roche. Julie . September 18, 2015 . August 21, 2019 . August 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190821134141/https://www.businessinsider.com/football-players-on-wall-street-2015-9 . live .
  58. Web site: Galaxy's Galloway honored . NFL Europe . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070103115557/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/8378759 . January 3, 2007 . April 12, 2005.
  59. News: Fire's Brantley earns WLAF Honor . September 29, 2022 . . June 1, 1991 . 2B . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203648/https://www.newspapers.com/image/259920239/?terms=%22danny%2Blockett%22%2B%22anthony%2Bparker%22%2B%22john%2Bbrantley%22%2B%22coach%2Bof%2Bthe%2Byear%22 . live .
  60. News: Sports digest . September 29, 2022 . . May 30, 1991 . C-2 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203648/https://www.newspapers.com/image/102062427/?terms=%22Larry%2BKennan%22%2B%22coach%2Bof%2Bthe%2Byear%22%2B%22world%2Bleague%22 . live .
  61. News: Surge nudge Dragons in semis . September 29, 2022 . . June 1, 1992 . 3C . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929192838/https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/408740334/?terms=%22david%2Barcher%22%2B%22mvp%22 . live .
  62. News: Woods . Mark . World League picks Thunder coach as best . September 29, 2022 . . May 29, 1992 . C . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203731/https://www.newspapers.com/image/177237157/?terms=%22World%2Bleague%22%2B%22coach%2Bof%2Bthe%2Byear%22 . live .
  63. News: Thomas . Jim . Keeping Up With Jones . September 29, 2022 . . May 31, 1992 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203651/https://www.newspapers.com/image/141522038/?terms=%22all-world%2Bleague%2Bteam%22 . live .
  64. News: Sports . September 29, 2022 . . August 20, 1995 . August 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190824175920/https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-aug-20-1995-p-11/ . live .
  65. Web site: Yello Strom World Bowl XIV preview . OurSports Central . September 29, 2022 . en . May 22, 2006 . August 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190824023806/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/yello-strom-world-bowl-xiv-preview/n-3314594 . live .
  66. News: Around the NFL . . August 24, 2019 . August 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190824023135/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/06/20/around-the-nfl/518c7f24-27d8-417e-a375-718da8d058d9/ . live .
  67. Web site: 1997 All-World League team . World League . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/19970709130411/http://www.worldleague.com/general/news/allworld.html . July 9, 1997 . June 20, 1997.
  68. News: Maynard . John . NFL Europe MVPs . September 29, 2022 . . June 12, 1988 . 31 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929192839/https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/113155244/ . live .
  69. News: Galaxy-Coach Dick Curl ist "Trainer des Jahres" . Der Spiegel . de . June 25, 1999 . September 26, 2019 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203658/https://www.spiegel.de/sport/sonst/american-football-galaxy-coach-dick-curl-ist-trainer-des-jahres-a-28896.html . live .
  70. Web site: Claymores scoop awards . NFL Europe . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061124001431/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/archive/22062000_awards . November 24, 2006 . June 22, 2002.
  71. Web site: Stars of 2001 rewarded . NFL Europe . https://web.archive.org/web/20061123232704/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/archive/06282001_awards . November 23, 2006 . June 28, 2001.
  72. Web site: Stars of 2002 rewarded . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061124015458/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/archive/06202002_homelede . November 24, 2006 . June 20, 2002.
  73. Web site: NFLE Honors 2003's Top Players . OurSports Central . September 29, 2022 . en . June 12, 2003 . August 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822181759/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/nfle-honors-2003s-top-players/n-1997537 . live .
  74. Web site: Honors announced. NFL Europe . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061124010448/http://www.nfleurope.com/worldbowl/news/story/7405213 . November 24, 2006.
  75. Web site: All League team revealed . NFL Europe . June 9, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070103113725/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/8548108 . January 3, 2007.
  76. Web site: Former TSU Football State Mike Jones NFL Europe Coach of the Year . . June 1, 2006 . August 22, 2019 . August 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822140049/http://www.tsutigers.com/football/news/2005-06/1228/former-tsu-football-star-mikejones-nfl-europe-coach-of-the-year/ . dead .
  77. Web site: Honors handed out . NFL Europe . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070626020117/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/10232806 . June 26, 2007.
  78. Web site: Dufresne . Chris . Europe Takes to WLAF, but Will It Catch On Here? . . February 23, 2021 . May 21, 1991 . August 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160819183350/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-21/sports/sp-2214_1_wlaf-owners . live .
  79. News: Smith. Timothy W.. World League vs. N.F.L., In a Board Room, That Is. May 27, 2014. The New York Times. May 7, 1992. May 27, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140527211854/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/07/sports/football-world-league-vs-nfl-in-a-board-room-that-is.html. live.
  80. Web site: Deacon . James . Football in spring . . February 25, 2021 . April 15, 1991 . November 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201127212308/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1991/4/15/football-in-spring . live .
  81. News: Eichel. Larry. In Europe, WLAF's Game Was More Than Football. 26 May 2014. The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 8, 1991. 2016-03-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222005/http://articles.philly.com/1991-06-08/sports/25787825_1_three-european-franchises-wlaf-new-league. live.
  82. News: Halling. Nick. WLAF to build on a fitting finale. 29 May 2014. The Independent. June 19, 1995. 29 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140529085730/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wlaf-to-build-on-a-fitting-finale-1587234.html. live.
  83. News: Halling. Nick. Three-pronged attack in quest for credibility. May 28, 2014. The Independent. April 13, 1996. May 28, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140528071225/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/threepronged-attack-in-quest-for-credibility-1304662.html. live.
  84. News: Kepner . Tyler . In Another World, the WLAF's No Longer Young or Restless . . February 25, 2021 . June 22, 1997.
  85. Web site: Marvel . Alex . Too Much Football . . February 25, 2021 . April 21, 2001 . June 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210628090026/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2001-04-27-0104261724-story.html . live .
  86. Web site: NFL Network To Air 22 NFL Europe Games . . September 27, 2022 . March 18, 2004 . October 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024231214/https://www.packers.com/news/nfl-network-to-air-22-nfl-europe-games-2468030 . live .
  87. Web site: All 31 NFL Europe League Games To Air On NFL Network In 2006 . . September 27, 2022 . March 5, 2006 . May 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507075712/https://www.packers.com/news/all-31-nfl-europe-league-games-to-air-on-nfl-network-in-2006-2451983 . live .
  88. Web site: 1991 WLAF Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160233/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/wlaf/1991 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  89. Web site: 1992 WLAF Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323161159/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/wlaf/1992 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  90. Web site: 1995 WLAF Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160424/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/wlaf/1995 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  91. Web site: 1996 WLAF Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160216/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/wlaf/1996 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  92. Web site: 1997 WLAF Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160317/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/wlaf/1997 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  93. Web site: 1998 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160627/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/1998 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  94. Web site: 1999 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160233/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/1999 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  95. Web site: 2000 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160231/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2000 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  96. Web site: 2001 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160652/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2001 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  97. Web site: 2002 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160213/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2002 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  98. Web site: 2003 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160352/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2003 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  99. Web site: 2004 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160323/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2004 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  100. Web site: 2005 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160222/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2005 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  101. Web site: 2006 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160212/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2006 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  102. Web site: 2007 NFL Europe Season . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190323160644/https://www.footballdb.com/seasons/nfle/2007 . March 23, 2019 . live .
  103. Web site: NFL Europe/World League of American Football . The Football Database . August 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190711094729/https://www.footballdb.com/nfl-europe/index.html . July 11, 2019 . live .