f-s-p 832 Posted July 31, 2018 2 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said: Difference is they're the club, presumably know what it would cost to host a GP, and don't think it's worthwhile to risk the future of the club for. Maybe the local municipality is also not interested in supporting for the same reasons. And they have the Zlata Prilba, have had it for 69 years now. It’s their big meeting and they have that to organize. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,912 Posted July 31, 2018 The US market is hard to crack.I posted an article here after Greg won one of his latest titles from a US website saying how he was an unknown world champ in his own country. You could say the US is one of the major markets for football and with all the power the sport has globally it has taken a number of efforts and lots more money than speedway has to get this far.It looks fairly stabile,but then I think it did back in the 70s when Pelé and Beckenbauer were playing and then it fell off the radar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted July 31, 2018 1 hour ago, iris123 said: The US market is hard to crack.I posted an article here after Greg won one of his latest titles from a US website saying how he was an unknown world champ in his own country. You could say the US is one of the major markets for football and with all the power the sport has globally it has taken a number of efforts and lots more money than speedway has to get this far.It looks fairly stabile,but then I think it did back in the 70s when Pelé and Beckenbauer were playing and then it fell off the radar THERE is more Premier League soccer on mainstream US television (NBC) than in England. On a Saturday, for example, they will often show the 1pm kick-off game, another from the 3pm starts and also a 5.30 game if there is one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,912 Posted July 31, 2018 (edited) As I am saying Phil there is major money behind the effort to crack the market.This time it looks like it has gained a stabile base.Speedway doesn't have the money or the power.Even the Polish attempt some years ago(Chicago area I think) with the local polish immigrant population failed,so it seems.And as I said there was an article on a US motorbike/sport website about the world champion who was unknown in his own country.That was Greg Hancock Edited July 31, 2018 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,919 Posted July 31, 2018 1 hour ago, PHILIPRISING said: THERE is more Premier League soccer on mainstream US television (NBC) than in England. On a Saturday, for example, they will often show the 1pm kick-off game, another from the 3pm starts and also a 5.30 game if there is one. Yes, because mainstream soccer in the UK is largely the preserve of Sky and BT who collectively pay GBP 1.15 billion per year for the privilege. The terrestrial channels can't justify the cost. NBC pays about GBP 125 million per year because 'soccer' is nothing like the attraction in the US, and the Premier League knows it can't get away with charging what it charges UK broadcasters. Different market, different valuation, despite there probably being more soccer fans in the US than UK. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPNY 608 Posted July 31, 2018 NBC originally had 3 year deal, after 2 months of the inaugural season they went back and asked to make it a 10 year deal. The first season EVERY game was available for free. Now you have to buy a pass to stream all those that aren’t on tv. Why is this? Because it is now popular enough that they can get away with it. now I’m now suggesting that for one second speedway is anywhere near as popular as soccer however this is an example of how something can come out of relative obscurity to being popular. there are now so many dedicated sports channels in the states that need to fill time slots 24/7 that it amazes me the conversation about showing the GPs hasn’t even been had. Believe me they show some absolute dross on these channels. as for USA being hard market to crack, Greg being an unknown champion etc yes I get that. However it is such a big country and there are so many multi purpose stadiums crying out for events to be staged believe me it could be done. Simply they won’t take the chance which is a great shame. Might not work but could pay off big time. By the way Humphrey I’m suprised you have time to type on here as you seem to have researched everything about everything! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffster 60 Posted July 31, 2018 7 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said: Difference is they're the club, presumably know what it would cost to host a GP, and don't think it's worthwhile to risk the future of the club for. Maybe the local municipality is also not interested in supporting for the same reasons. Well yes, spot on...probably on both counts.... Of course they know the cost to stage a GP, they have staged the GP Challenge in the past, after all (As part of the Golden Helmet Weekend) The local council do financially support the Golden Helmet Weekend, so more than likely couldnt justify spending money on a GP as well. Whilst I respect the club's decision, I do think they are wrong, and dont fully understand the high regard that the city and track are held in. IF Pardubice ever "bit the bullet" and staged a GP, maybe they would be pleasantly surprised at the attendance. Pardubice is only an hour or so on the train from Prague of course, very easy to travel between the two cities. Maybe, just maybe, they could stage a GP on the Saturday of the Golden Helmet Weekend, it could easily be done, even if the Helmet weekend needs to be moved from its now traditional late September or early October slot. It is surely do-able, there just needs to be the will, which, at least for the time being, there isnt... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Carter 62 Posted July 31, 2018 (edited) 11 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said: Difference is they're the club, presumably know what it would cost to host a GP, and don't think it's worthwhile to risk the future of the club for. Maybe the local municipality is also not interested in supporting for the same reasons. Great insight. I wonder if also they worry that a SGP could take the gloss of the Czech Golden Helmet? However in a perfect world it would be a double header - SGP on Saturday & The CGH on the Sunday!!! Edited July 31, 2018 by James Carter 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ghostwalker 1,858 Posted July 31, 2018 12 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said: Difference is they're the club, presumably know what it would cost to host a GP, and don't think it's worthwhile to risk the future of the club for. Maybe the local municipality is also not interested in supporting for the same reasons. I agree, this is one of the biggest reason I don't want Smederna to host a GP at Eskilstuna. The financial risk is high and if the weather doesn't cooperate you might look at a pretty big loss. If BSI wants to rent the stadium from the city, fine be me but I don't my team Smederna to put any money into it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,919 Posted July 31, 2018 2 hours ago, James Carter said: Great insight. I wonder if also they worry that a SGP could take the gloss of the Czech Golden Helmet? However in a perfect world it would be a double header - SGP on Saturday & The CGH on the Sunday!!! I think there's certainly a danger it would impact the crowd that normally goes to the Golden Helmet, which is arguably one of the most prestigious non-GP events. But it's probably also because a GP would divert financial and human resources from the organisation of that. As for a double header, doesn't the Golden Helmet get run over a couple of days anyway, so not sure how that would work with a GP in the mix? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
screm 8,048 Posted July 31, 2018 As others have said the Pardubice club have shown little or no interest in holding a GP in the past and I don`t see that changing. Hopefully the talks between BSI and the Prague mayor are successful and we see a return to Marketa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f-s-p 832 Posted July 31, 2018 47 minutes ago, Humphrey Appleby said: I think there's certainly a danger it would impact the crowd that normally goes to the Golden Helmet, which is arguably one of the most prestigious non-GP events. But it's probably also because a GP would divert financial and human resources from the organisation of that. As for a double header, doesn't the Golden Helmet get run over a couple of days anyway, so not sure how that would work with a GP in the mix? So there really are things you dont know!! Actually no. 30 years ago maybe, but currently its a sunday event. Best and available riders from the friday can get a call for zlata stuha and the same goes with sat to sun. Now the date is late again but for example Ekstraliga playoffs have had their toll on the riders on show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 1,497 Posted July 31, 2018 Bar Cardiff have any dates been announced ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
New Science 1,059 Posted July 31, 2018 On 7/27/2018 at 8:38 PM, Mark said: Two flights followed by an hour taxi ride with a Russian driver. Perfect for all European fans. Throw in another 100 quid for a visa, gets even better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 1,497 Posted July 31, 2018 6 minutes ago, New Science said: Throw in another 100 quid for a visa, gets even better. Didn't think of that. £100 a bit steep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
