Second club locked in for proposed China game

[Bulldog4life]

We've got the taking over of Ballarat ahead of us. Who needs China?

[chef]

Peter Gordon has confirmed the other club is not us.

Good to hear.

[jeemak]

That's the equivalent of one medium sized city in China - it's not a big result at all, in a country of more than 1bn people.

Of course, and that's the whole point (which I'm sure you already know). Only small penetration would result in huge growth for the league.

[Axe Man]

[hujsh]

Of course, and that's the whole point (which I'm sure you already know). Only small penetration would result in huge growth for the league.

Yeah, this isn't about being the number one sport in China and knocking down soccer or basketball (I vaguely feel it's popular in China . No facts to back that up). You get 1% of the population of China interested and they're probably the majority of AFL fans now

[F'scary]

Peter Gordon has confirmed the other club is not us.

Thank F for that.

[F'scary]

Good ol' AFL, confusing novelty value with market penetration yet again.

[lemmon]

Yeah, this isn't about being the number one sport in China and knocking down soccer or basketball (I vaguely feel it's popular in China . No facts to back that up). You get 1% of the population of China interested and they're probably the majority of AFL fans now

My thinking is along the same lines, congratulations to Port Adelaide - they could make a killing and have every club wishing they had done the same

[Go_Dogs]

The success the NBA in China (for example) demonstrates it's a market that has an interest in western sport, and given the athleticism involved in AFL and how unique the game is, I'd be fairly confident AFL will do well there.

As far as whether it's us, I would love it to be. Any opportunity we can create to grow our brand is one worth pursuing, and given the style of football we play I could see us being a very popular side with the Chinese audiences.

[AndrewP6]

The success the NBA in China (for example) demonstrates it's a market that has an interest in western sport, and given the athleticism involved in AFL and how unique the game is, I'd be fairly confident AFL will do well there.

As far as whether it's us, I would love it to be. Any opportunity we can create to grow our brand is one worth pursuing, and given the style of football we play I could see us being a very popular side with the Chinese audiences.

Can't compare them, NBA is truly a global league.

[Go_Dogs]

Can't compare them, NBA is truly a global sport.

Yes, it is - wasn't always though, was it?

[jeemak]

Can't compare them, NBA is truly a global sport.

NBA isn't a sport........

A lot of foresight and hard work made the NBA what it is today, one of the biggest things in its favour is basketball's a game that requires little real estate to play - it makes it unbelievably accessible.

The big challenge for the expansion of Australian Rules Football is trying to ingrain itself within cultures that are developing and placing a premium on land and resources to accommodate growing populations. How can countries like China prioritise massive ovals in urban areas over the need to allocate space to people?

[KT31]

NBA isn't a sport........

A lot of foresight and hard work made the NBA what it is today, one of the biggest things in its favour is basketball's a game that requires little real estate to play - it makes it unbelievably accessible.

The big challenge for the expansion of Australian Rules Football is trying to ingrain itself within cultures that are developing and placing a premium on land and resources to accommodate growing populations. How can countries like China prioritise massive ovals in urban areas over the need to allocate space to people?

I would also imagine the NBA's budget would have far exceeded what the AFL are prepared to put up.

[AndrewP6]

NBA isn't a sport........

Well spotted. Will amend for accuracy!

[AndrewP6]

Yes, it is - wasn't always though, was it?

Well they've had non-US players since 1946, and since 1992, foreign involvement has gone through the roof.