Editing NFL Europe (section)

==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".<ref name="Origins of the WLAF">{{cite journal|last=Maher|first=Tod|year=1992|title=Origins of the WLAF|journal=The Coffin Corner|publisher=[[Pro Football Researchers Association]]|volume=14|issue=2|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/14-02-455.pdf|access-date=August 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218212452/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/14-02-455.pdf|archive-date=December 18, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The brainchild of [[Bob Kap]], the proposed league had already sold six franchises and had secured the rights to loan players from the NFL.<ref name="The first NFL Europe">{{cite journal|last1=Ford|first1=Mark L.|last2=Foglio|first2=Massimo|year=2005|title=The First 'NFL Europe'|journal=The Coffin Corner|publisher=[[Pro Football Researchers Association]]|volume=27|issue=6|url=http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-06-1101.pdf|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908021957/http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-06-1101.pdf|archive-date=September 8, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 [[Cancelled NFL games#1974 Players Strike|players' strike]] during the summer of 1974, and the [[1973–75 recession|recession]].<ref name="Origins of the WLAF" /> Another factor was the turmoil in Europe in 1974: [[Turkey]] had [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|invaded]] [[Cyprus]], the [[Rodger Davies|American ambassador to Cyprus]] had been assassinated, [[Basque Country (greater region)|Basque]] separatists had assassinated the [[Prime Minister of Spain|prime minister of Spain]], and terrorist groups like the [[Red Brigades]] had engaged in kidnapping.<ref name="The first NFL Europe" /> The [[United States Department of State|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".<ref name="The first NFL Europe" />

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 ([[National Football League preseason|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.<ref name="Origins of the WLAF" /> 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.<ref name="Origins of the WLAF" /> 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.<ref name="New League, New Lands" /> The league was expected to have 12 teams (six in the United States, four in Europe, one in [[Canada]] and one in [[Mexico]]),<ref name="World League To Get TV Money">{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19900206/1054580/world-league-to-get-tv-money|title=World League To Get TV Money|date=February 6, 1990|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000456/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19900206&slug=1054580|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and it secured a two-year television deal with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and a four-year television deal with [[USA Network]] to air regular and post-season games.<ref name="NFL Europe League Chronology">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/europa/history|title=NFL Europe League Chronology|work=[[National Football League|NFL.com]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719011048/http://www.nfl.com/europa/history|archive-date=July 19, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Fired Schramm: Nfl Narrowed Its View Of The World">{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-13/sports/9002190392_1_world-league-tex-schramm-nfl|title=Fired Schramm: NFL Narrowed Its View Of The World|last=Bricker|first=Charles|date=October 12, 1990|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222658/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-13/sports/9002190392_1_world-league-tex-schramm-nfl|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:WLAF.png|thumb|left|The first logo of the WLAF.]]
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.<ref name="NFL Europe League Chronology" /> 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.<ref name="WLAF Will Succeed With Tight Rein on Dollar, League President Believes">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-13-sp-1341-story.html|title=WLAF Will Succeed With Tight Rein on Dollar, League President Believes|date=February 13, 1991|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528015156/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-02-13/sports/sp-1341_1_tight-end|archive-date=May 28, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="W.L.A.F. Seasoning in the Sun">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/05/sports/football-wlaf-seasoning-in-the-sun.html|title=W.L.A.F. Seasoning in the Sun|last=Thomas|first=George|date=May 5, 1991|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528025341/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/05/sports/football-wlaf-seasoning-in-the-sun.html|archive-date=May 28, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

===WLAF/World League (1991–92)===

[[File:Twin Towers, Wembley Stadium - geograph.org.uk - 1125645.jpg|thumb|right|[[World Bowl '91]], the league's first championship game, was held at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]]; the [[London Monarchs]] defeated the [[Barcelona Dragons (NFL Europe)|Barcelona Dragons]] 21–0.<ref name="One To Remember" />]]

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.<ref name="Live From Barcelona: W.L.A.F.'s Kickoff on TV">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/24/sports/pro-football-live-from-barcelona-wlaf-s-kickoff-on-tv.html|title=Live From Barcelona: W.L.A.F.'s Kickoff on TV|last=Eskenazi|first=Gerald|date=March 24, 1991|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=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|archive-date=May 28, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 (NFL Europe)|Barcelona Dragons]]).<ref name="Scoreboard">{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O5IiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ha4FAAAAIBAJ&hl=de&pg=1430%2C6436739|title=Scoreboard|date=May 28, 1991|work=[[The Item]]|pages=4B|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614211649/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O5IiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ha4FAAAAIBAJ&hl=de&pg=1430%2C6436739|url-status=live}}</ref> London and Barcelona won their playoff games to meet in [[World Bowl '91]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], which London won 21–0.<ref name="One To Remember">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1139871/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140422080718/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1139871/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 22, 2014|title=One To Remember|last=Reilly|first=Rick|date=June 17, 1991|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=August 18, 2013}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Initials For W.L.A.F. May Soon Be R.I.P.">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/25/sports/football-notebook-initials-for-wlaf-may-soon-be-rip.html|title=Initials For W.L.A.F. May Soon Be R.I.P.|last=Smith|first=Timothy W.|date=August 25, 1991|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528015843/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/25/sports/football-notebook-initials-for-wlaf-may-soon-be-rip.html|archive-date=May 28, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="It's Baaack! World League Set to Begin Second Season" /> 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]].<ref name="It's Baaack! World League Set to Begin Second Season">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/21/sports/football-it-s-baaack-world-league-set-to-begin-second-season.html|title=It's Baaack! World League Set to Begin Second Season|last=Eskenazi|first=Gerald|date=March 21, 1992|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-url=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|archive-date=April 11, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===NFL Europe/Europa (1995–2007)===
[[File:NFL Europe Logo.svg|thumb|right|The final logo of the league, introduced upon its name change to NFL Europa in 2006.]]

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 WLAF season|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 (NFL Europe)|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.<ref name="Retooled">{{cite web |last1=Cress |first1=Doug |title=The New World League: Retooled, and Ready to Start Saturday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/04/sports/IHT-the-new-world-leagueretooled-and-ready-to-start-saturday.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=August 10, 2019 |date=April 4, 1995 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] became a co-owner of the WLAF and a major financial contributor in return for broadcasting rights.<ref name=Ind260395>{{cite news|last=O'Hagan|first=Simon|title=Monarchs seek to rule the world|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/monarchs-seek-to-rule-the-world-1612828.html|access-date=May 27, 2014|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=March 26, 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527230038/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/monarchs-seek-to-rule-the-world-1612828.html|archive-date=May 27, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Ind131296>{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Halling|title=London Monarchs to play World League matches at Stamford Bridge|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/american-football-london-monarchs-to-play-world-league-matches-at-stamford-bridge-1314380.html|access-date=May 27, 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=December 13, 1996|archive-url=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|archive-date=November 22, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Monarchs would fold the following season and were replaced by the [[Berlin Thunder]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Paul |title=British Dolphin pursues long journey to top |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/oct/25/ussport |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=August 11, 2019 |date=October 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811234032/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/oct/25/ussport |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

NFL Europe commemorated its 10th season in [[2002 NFL Europe season|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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Stephen |title=NFL Europe Begins 10th Season |url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/NFL-Europe-Begins-10th-Season-7133007.php |website=[[Midland Daily News]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=April 10, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812015545/https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/NFL-Europe-Begins-10th-Season-7133007.php |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bicknell joins Claymores |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/us_sport/3220881.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=October 28, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812015548/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/us_sport/3220881.stm |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The team's attendance had fallen to under 7,000 per game, a 50% decline since the [[1997 Barcelona Dragons season|1997 season]], when the team had won the [[World Bowl '97|World Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Barcelona disbands NFL Europe franchise |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/10/28/Barcelona-disbands-NFL-Europe-franchise/21391067365479/ |publisher=[[United Press International]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=October 28, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812015543/https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/10/28/Barcelona-disbands-NFL-Europe-franchise/21391067365479/ |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Dragons were replaced by the [[Cologne Centurions (NFL Europe)|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.<ref name="Claymores" />

The Claymores were replaced the following year by the [[Hamburg Sea Devils (NFL Europe)|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.<ref name="Deutsche Welle">{{cite web |last1=Tzortzis |first1=Andreas |title=Germany Embraces the 'Other' Football |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-embraces-the-other-football/a-1423336 |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812021533/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-embraces-the-other-football/a-1423336 |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Accordingly, the league changed its name to NFL Europa in 2006, ahead of the league's [[2007 NFL Europa season|15th season]], to reflect the league's focus on Germany and the Netherlands.<ref name="Europa">{{cite web |title=Welcome to NFL Europa |date=November 10, 2006|url=http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9802525 |publisher=NFL Europe|access-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115123821/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9802525 |archive-date=November 15, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Closure and legacy===
[[File:KurtWarnerSuperBowlXXXIV.jpg|thumb|[[Quarterback]] [[Kurt Warner]] was allocated to the [[Amsterdam Admirals]] in [[1998 Amsterdam Admirals season|1998]]. The following year, Warner led the [[Los Angeles Rams|St. Louis Rams]] to victory in [[Super Bowl XXXIV]].<ref name="Seifert" />]]
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 [[List of National Football League games played outside the United States|outside the United States]].<ref name="NFL Europa folds">{{cite web |title=Passport expires: NFL Europa folds after 16 years |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2920738 |work=[[ESPN.com]] |access-date=August 7, 2019 |language=en |date=June 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016035437/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2920738 |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Pasquarelli">{{cite web|last=Pasquarelli|first=Len|title=NFL Europa failed to produce players, profits|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?id=2920635|access-date=May 24, 2014|work=[[ESPN.com]]|date=June 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525213529/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=2920635|archive-date=May 25, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bouchette |first1=Ed |title=Will NFL Europe survive? It's a developing situation |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2005/05/16/Will-NFL-Europe-survive-It-s-a-developing-situation/stories/200505160189 |website=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=May 16, 2005 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=August 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sandomir" />

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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Markovits |first1=Andrei S. |last2=Rensmann |first2=Lars |title=Gaming the World: How Sports Are Reshaping Global Politics and Culture |date=2013 |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |isbn=9780691162034 |pages=97–98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=umqYDwAAQBAJ&q=world+league+of+american+football+surprisingly+popular+in%25&pg=PA97 |access-date=2019-08-12 |archive-date=2022-09-26 |archive-url=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% |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Pasquarelli" /> [[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.<ref name="Sandomir">{{cite web |last1=Sandomir |first1=Richard |title=N.F.L. Pulls the Plug on Its League in Europe |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/30/sports/football/30nfl.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=June 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716164854/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/30/sports/football/30nfl.html |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Looking back on NFL Europe in 2017, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com noted its strong record in developing [[quarterback]]s: [[Kurt Warner]] (a [[Super Bowl]] champion and two-time [[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]]), [[Brad Johnson (American football)|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 Carolina Panthers season|2003]]), and journeyman quarterback [[Jon Kitna]] all spent time in NFL Europe.<ref name="Seifert">{{cite web |last1=Seifert |first1=Kevin |title=Ranking QBs who benefited from NFL Europe |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19706757/ranking-quarterbacks-benefited-nfl-europe-kurt-warner-brad-johnson-jon-kitna-jake-delhomme |work=[[ESPN.com]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=June 23, 2017 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two NFL Europe alumni (kicker [[Adam Vinatieri]] and return specialist [[Dante Hall]]) were included on the NFL's [[National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team|2000s All-Decade Team]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gold |first1=Jon |title=10 years after NFL Europe's demise, alumni remember league fondly |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19638357/oral-history-10-years-nfl-europe-demise-alumni-such-kurt-warner-remember-developmental-league-fondly |work=[[ESPN.com]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=June 23, 2017 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league also provided an opportunity for the NFL to experiment with rules and to develop [[Official (American football)|officials]] and coaches. Some NFL coaches and executives have suggested reviving the concept of a developmental league,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keeler |first1=Sean |title='You didn't play to get rich': what killed NFL Europe? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/23/you-didnt-play-to-get-rich-what-killed-nfl-europe |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=June 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724025334/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/23/you-didnt-play-to-get-rich-what-killed-nfl-europe |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and several independent leagues have been created to fill the need, but with little success.<ref name="Seifert" /> At a press conference before [[Super Bowl LI]], league commissioner [[Roger Goodell]] said the NFL had been "actively considering" creating a new developmental league.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McClymont |first1=Michael |title=6 takeaways from Goodell's state of the league press conference |date=February 2017 |url=https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1222224-6-takeaways-from-goodell-s-state-of-the-league-press-conference |publisher=[[theScore Inc.|theScore.com]] |access-date=August 13, 2019 }}</ref>

Since the closure of NFL Europa, the NFL has held regular-season games annually in London<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barrabi |first1=Thomas |title=NFL 'nearer than ever' to permanent London team, exec says |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/nfl-nearer-than-ever-to-permanent-london-team-exec-says |publisher=[[Fox Business Network|Fox Business]] |access-date=August 13, 2019 |date=October 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813030433/https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/nfl-nearer-than-ever-to-permanent-london-team-exec-says |archive-date=August 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and has also hosted regular-season games in [[Mexico City]] and [[Toronto]].<ref name="Margolis">{{cite web |last1=Margolis |first1=Jason |title=Many international fans of American football are 'born' on Super Bowl Sunday |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2019-02-01/many-international-fans-american-football-are-born-super-bowl-sunday |publisher=[[Public Radio International]] |access-date=August 13, 2019 |language=en |date=February 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813030436/https://www.pri.org/stories/2019-02-01/many-international-fans-american-football-are-born-super-bowl-sunday |archive-date=August 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league is pursuing the goal of a [[Potential London NFL franchise|franchise in London]], as well as potential regular-season games in [[China]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Breer |first1=Albert |title=Game Plan: London is ready for NFL team; 2022 a target |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/21/nfl-london-team-international-series-europe-football |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331033910/https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/21/nfl-london-team-international-series-europe-football |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, the NFL announced it was looking for partners to host a regular-season game in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL requesting proposals for future regular-season games in Germany |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-requesting-proposals-for-future-regular-season-games-in-germany |website=NFL |access-date=September 26, 2022 |date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810192810/https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-requesting-proposals-for-future-regular-season-games-in-germany |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Battista |first1=Judy |title=Tom Brady will take international stage in NFL's regular-season debut in Germany |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/tom-brady-will-take-international-stage-in-nfl-s-regular-season-debut-in-germany |website=NFL.com |access-date=September 26, 2022 |date=May 4, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Frankfurt Galaxy vor Auferstehung |url=http://www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/sport/index.jsp?rubrik=6068&key=standard_document_52878439 |website=[[Hessischer Rundfunk]] |access-date=September 26, 2022 |language=de |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150427145213/http://www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/sport/index.jsp?rubrik=6068&key=standard_document_52878439 |archive-date=April 27, 2015}}</ref> The new team was promoted to the [[German Football League 2]] in 2011, and won promotion to the [[German Football League]] (GFL) in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chronik Frankfurt Universe |url=http://www.frankfurt-universe.de/index.php/verein/chronik |website=Frankfurt Universe |access-date=September 26, 2022 |language=de |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318004623/http://www.frankfurt-universe.de/index.php/verein/chronik |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[European League of Football]] (ELF), a pan-European league that began play in 2021,<ref name=Hamburger>{{cite web |title=Neues Hamburger Footballteam spielt im Stadion Hoheluft |url=https://www.abendblatt.de/sport/article231587759/Neues-Hamburger-Footballteam-spielt-im-Stadion-Hoheluft.html |website=[[Hamburger Abendblatt]] |access-date=17 February 2021 |language=German |date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217163437/https://www.abendblatt.de/sport/article231587759/Neues-Hamburger-Footballteam-spielt-im-Stadion-Hoheluft.html |url-status=live }}</ref> signed an agreement with the NFL allowing them to utilize the branding of the former teams of NFL Europe.<ref name="ELF">{{cite magazine |last1=Leinweber |first1=Lorenz |title=European League of Football agrees to cooperation with the NFL |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/european-league-of-football-agrees-to-cooperation-with-the-nfl |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=September 23, 2022 |language=en |date=March 9, 2021 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923141056/https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/european-league-of-football-agrees-to-cooperation-with-the-nfl |url-status=live }}</ref> The ELF's [[Barcelona Dragons (ELF)|Barcelona Dragons]], [[Berlin Thunder (ELF)|Berlin Thunder]], [[Cologne Centurions (ELF)|Cologne Centurions]], [[Hamburg Sea Devils (ELF)|Hamburg Sea Devils]], [[Frankfurt Galaxy (ELF)|Frankfurt Galaxy]], and [[Rhein Fire (ELF)|Rhein Fire]] all share the names and imagery of their NFL Europe predecessors.<ref name="Why the NFL playing games in Germany makes too much sense for the league">{{cite web |last1=D'Andrea |first1=Christian |title=Why the NFL playing games in Germany makes too much sense for the league |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/02/nfl-germany-world-league-frankfurt-galaxy-about-damn-time |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=September 26, 2022 |date=February 9, 2022 |archive-date=February 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215203351/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/02/nfl-germany-world-league-frankfurt-galaxy-about-damn-time |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Season structure and development===
<div class="thumb tright">
<div class="thumbinner" style="width:250px;">
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center"
|+2007 NFL Europa standings
|-
!scope="col" width="150"| Team
!scope="col" width="25"| {{Abbr|W|Wins}}
!scope="col" width="25"| {{Abbr|L|Losses}}
!scope="col" width="30"| {{Abbr|PCT|Winning percentage}}
|- style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"
|scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | [[2007 Hamburg Sea Devils season|Hamburg Sea Devils]]
| 7
| 3
| .700
|- style="background-color:#CCFFCC;"
|scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | [[2007 Frankfurt Galaxy season|Frankfurt Galaxy]]
| 7
| 3
| .700
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | [[2007 Cologne Centurions season|Cologne Centurions]]
| 6
| 4
| .600
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | [[2007 Rhein Fire season|Rhein Fire]]
| 4
| 6
| .400
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | [[2007 Amsterdam Admirals season|Amsterdam Admirals]]
| 4
| 6
| .400
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | [[2007 Berlin Thunder season|Berlin Thunder]]
| 2
| 8
| .200
|}
<div class="thumbcaption">
This chart demonstrates the league's table for the [[2007 NFL Europa season|2007 season]]. From 1998 to 2007, each team played ten 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]].<ref name="Kicks off" /> The [[Hamburg Sea Devils (NFL Europe)|Hamburg Sea Devils]] won [[World Bowl XV|the game]] 37–28, securing the league's championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Europe |url=http://www.nfleurope.com/ |publisher=NFL Europe |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701065130/http://www.nfleurope.com/ |archive-date=July 1, 2007}}</ref></div>
</div>
</div>

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 [[wild card (sports)|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]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dragons Make WLAF Playoffs |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-28-sp-2676-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 28, 1991 |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814021142/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-28-sp-2676-story.html |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 [[Round-robin tournament|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.<ref name="Guide">{{cite web |title=A rookie's guide to the World League – the NFL's Spring League |url=http://www.worldleague.com/general/facts/0409dummy.html |publisher=WorldLeague.com |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970709131323/http://www.worldleague.com/general/facts/0409dummy.html |archive-date=July 9, 1997|url-status=unfit}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Kicks off">{{cite news |title=NFL Europe League kicks off Saturday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/277092556/?terms=%22nfl%2Beurope%22%2B%22world%2Bbowl%22 |access-date=August 14, 2019 |work=[[Hattiesburg American]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=April 3, 1998 |page=18 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926203633/https://www.newspapers.com/image/277092556/?terms=%22nfl%2Beurope%22%2B%22world%2Bbowl%22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The league played under standard NFL rules, with several exceptions.<ref name="Explanations">{{cite web |title=NFL Europe League Explanations |url=http://nfleurope.com/news/explanations.htm |publisher=NFL Europe |access-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991122101735/http://nfleurope.com/news/explanations.htm |archive-date=November 22, 1999|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 goal]]s made from beyond 50 yards as opposed to the typical three points.<ref name="Placekicking">{{cite book |last1=Gonsalves |first1=Rick |title=Placekicking in the NFL: A History and Analysis |date=2014 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-0-7864-4879-1 |page=277 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GHQmAgAAQBAJ&dq=nfl+europe+93+yard+field&pg=PA277 |access-date=2019-08-11 |archive-date=2022-09-26 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rule changes instituted upon the league's revival in 1995 included the creation of the [[Two-point conversion#Defensive two-point conversion|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.<ref name="It's Baaack! World League Set to Begin Second Season" /> The regular-season [[Overtime (sports)|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.<ref name="Explanations" /> Starting with the 1997 season, the league required the receiver to have two feet in bounds for a completed pass.<ref name="Guide" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=All Tied Up|date=April 1, 2006|url=http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9351720 |publisher=NFL Europe|access-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115142957/http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9351720|archive-date=November 15, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Pasquarelli" /> 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 [[Punter (football)|punters]] or [[placekicker]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Edmund L. |title=Selling the Other Football To the Europeans |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/27/business/the-business-world-selling-the-other-football-to-the-europeans.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=September 29, 2022 |date=June 27, 1999 |archive-date=September 17, 2017 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}</ref>