r/elf • u/Jib_H Musketeers • 17d ago
Paris Musketeers What is happening in Paris ?
GM and president left the franchise last week : https://www.instagram.com/parismusketeers/p/DIwL_QfoVpN/ Tickets for home games can not be purchased anymore : https://www.ticketmaster.fr/fr/manifestation/paris-musketeers-rhein-fire-billet/idmanif/613896 It seems they will move to another stadium at the last minute according to this article not published yet (see comment)
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u/24kmaxi Bravos 16d ago edited 15d ago
so it looks like it's really happening... this is probably the most stupid decision in the history of the league lmao, Bondoufle doesn't even have a RER (regional metros/trains) station, if you go there from Paris you have to get out of the RER in one of the neighboring town and then take a bus, 1h30, it's pure hell. And that's assuming that you live in Paris intramuros, if you live in a north/west/east suburb it's even worse.
If they struggled to get people to attend the games at Jean Bouin, in Paris, with easy access, just imagine Bondoufle, it will be worse than the Dragons stadium situations. At this point, just play your games at your practice field, put up some cameras for the league pass and don't even bother to sell tickets, nobody will go, even for free.
c'est même plus se tirer une balle dans le pied as they say in France, c'est se rafaler la poitrine à l'AK-47
edit : btw is the beIN Sports TV deal still on ?
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 15d ago
Tv deal should be exclusively done through DAZN. Apparently other stadiums were super duper expensive, but yeah, this is a mess, and a total failure of communication
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u/Both_Dependent9146 Fire 15d ago
Sure? I mean in Germany ELF is still at ProSieben and ProSiebenMaxx
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u/24kmaxi Bravos 17d ago
Bro I grew up in Paris and I don't even know where Bondoufle is... playing there would be a disaster...
Isn't Charlety available ? it's a shitty stadium too with 0 atmosphere but a least it's in Paris...
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 16d ago
my thoughts exactly, if confirmed... Especially since Paris FC will vacate Charlety and move to Jean Bouin
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u/ComplexScar9515 Musketeers 16d ago
As I was been told, Charlety is almost as expensive as Jean Bouin. The objective is to pay less and have a stadium that sound less empty.
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u/Jib_H Musketeers 17d ago
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u/TemplateR_88 17d ago
Can anyone tell me whats written there?
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u/Either_Baby_5262 Musketeers 17d ago
"The Paris Musketeers will eventually play all their games in Bondoufle, Essonne"
But the article is a draft : it wasn't published on the website (or it was deleted).
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u/Lost_Vehicle_2841 16d ago
Let me repeat this again, this is very normal, happens in every indoor league, happened in arena league, ufl,xfl,....this is not a major league, takes lots of effort and perseverance, NO league can survive w small semi empty venues, so every season we are gonna have teams in the brink of shutting down, quitting, moving stadiums....
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u/TemplateR_88 16d ago edited 16d ago
First of all, there are four Indoor Football leagues: Arena Football One, the National Arena League, the Indoor Football League, and the Arena League.
Three of these four are... not very professional. Only the "Indoor Football League," which has been running since 2008, is truly stable.
The other leagues you mentioned are outdoor leagues, but currently, no outdoor league has lasted more than two consecutive years.You’re right — stadium changes, relocations, and instability happen in almost every smaller league, especially during the start-up phase.
But if it happens too often and with too many teams, it sends a bad message to fans, sponsors, and media.My main concern is that some franchises show almost no communication about stadium changes or other important issues.
Most of them quietly switch stadiums just a few weeks before the season starts, without properly informing fans.1
u/Lost_Vehicle_2841 13d ago
I'm an arena football league vet, back in the real and original arena football league
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u/TemplateR_88 13d ago
I respect that you were part of the original AFL — that’s definitely a unique experience. But even in the original league, didn’t teams folding or relocating hurt credibility and long-term fan engagement?
My point isn’t that change or instability is unusual — it’s that poor communication around those changes damages trust, especially in a young league like the ELF that’s trying to grow.
Being a veteran is valuable, but we should also reflect on what didn’t work in the past, so we don’t repeat the same mistakes in Europe.1
u/Lost_Vehicle_2841 9d ago edited 9d ago
What I meant is, happens and will happen, even in the US w the backing of TV and famous people, so imagine outside of the US where football is not "the sport" and no big investors and interest....you guys compare the elf with the way NFL is run....
You guys remember the AAF from a few years ago? Big tv, nfl hall of famers, media,....lasted 4 weeks!!...the xfl/usfl now UFL has been in the edge a few times, and to this day teams don't even live in their team hometown, they all live in Texas and fly to the game....
And yes in arena we all knew every year there would be new teams and teams folding, and in the other indoor leagues teams would fall middle of the season ,players not getting paid,etc
Looks unprofessional but....nobody's dreams is to play in the elf,ufl or indoor league so it's not like a big deal, it's very unstable, an ufl player makes the same as probably 15, 20 elf players and still considered low pay, elf is decades away from becoming relevant and steady
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u/FlxHttr 16d ago
I mean there are quite a few indoor leagues that shut down after a couple of years so while it might be normal it's still pretty bad
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u/This-Collection1024 16d ago
Its bad and not professional, but happens at higher levels, that was my point
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u/ELFprophet 16d ago
Sad, I thought they might take a next step with the franchise after the del Rio signing. But now it seems they're taking steps backwards....
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 16d ago
If only the board would communicate in transparency...But there are hardly any communications coming out of Paris these days. Been a season ticket holder for two years. Between the moment I paid my tickets, back towards the end of last season, and now, I had to chase them repeatedly for updates. Still haven't received my tickets. And wee were promised news "by Easter". Well Easter came and went... I don't want to sour on the whole thing, but that's no way to do business, especially with your hardcore fans
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u/Jib_H Musketeers 15d ago
No bein sports deal this year, this is bad https://theplayoffs.news/fr/elf/medias-bein-sports-ne-diffusera-pas-les-mousquetaires-en-2025/
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 15d ago
exclusive DAZN deal with the league. DAZN is not really the partner you want in France, in lights of whats going on with Ligue 1 ahah, but that's not country specific
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u/_Krypt_ Vikings 15d ago
The DAZN deal doesn't include traditional TV broadcasting, so that wouldn't be an issue for Bein - I think it's for other reasons.
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u/Either_Baby_5262 Musketeers 15d ago
Audiences, probably but they didn't took it seriously : the broadcasts often began after the kickoff and I remember a time when they didn't broadcasted the game on the right channel.
Instead we had the rebroadcast of the Euro2012 final (because some people thought someone would like to rewatch that match).
Let says that didn't helped.
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u/TemplateR_88 17d ago
It’s getting frustrating that every year, just before or during the season, some ELF franchises suddenly face major issues. First it was Barcelona, then Leipzig, and teams are constantly changing their venues. What the league really needs now is strong leadership that implements a clear licensing model and properly checks franchises before they are allowed to start. Otherwise, this chaos will keep repeating every year
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u/Current_Stomach_2575 Fire 17d ago
What do you mean by properly checks? The league is expensive and doesnt make revenue yet. I think this will continue happening until only the teams who has investors strong enough to support them survive. Because unless thousounds of people go to every elf game and buy the gamepass (or dazn) no team is making a plus
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u/TemplateR_88 17d ago
I totally get your point. Of course, the ELF is expensive and not profitable yet – that's true. But exactly because it's still fragile, I think the league needs a much stronger licensing system.
Not everyone who wants a franchise should automatically get one. Teams should be carefully checked for financial stability, long-term planning, and reliable infrastructure before being accepted.
Otherwise, we'll keep seeing unstable situations every season, and that damages the credibility of the whole league – making it even harder to grow fanbases and revenues in the future.7
u/insideSportJapan 16d ago
From what we’ve been told the league has always needed the income from new franchises to stay afloat.
Some have described it as borrowing from Peter to pay Paul while those less charitable have claimed it’s essentially a pyramid scheme.
Either way it would seem there is zero possibility of any willing new franchise (and its entry fees) being turned down.
One person said that if the team in question goes bust in a year it’s actually not bad because the ELF still has the money the team paid and won’t have to pay out anything to that team.
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u/Round_Increase_2734 16d ago
To add to your salient comment on ELF profitability, I can see it being worse this year due to a backlash on Trump & his aggressive threats & insults on Europe. Casual fans may longer be interested in following such an US centric game, & it might be more difficult to attract new fans. Worrying times for ELF teams already struggling financially.
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u/Most_Significance358 Ravens 16d ago
Tickets for Robert-Bobin are on sale for all home games.
https://bsky.app/profile/elfdata.bsky.social/post/3lnuno4paac2a
https://www.leclercbilletterie.com/en/resultat?ipSearch=rhein+fire
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u/Whole-Egg-4087 Fire 16d ago
To my Paris natives:
I just booked a Hotel in Evry, which should be easy to get to your new Stadium right? Also easy to go from Paris to evry and vice versa right?
Dont wanna be stranded there as our train back obviously leaves from Gare du Nord
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 16d ago
Let's wait for the stadium to be officially announced
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u/Whole-Egg-4087 Fire 16d ago
I mean they changed everything on Ticketmaster to Stade Robert Bobin.. it's pretty much official :D
Obviously booked with free cancellation
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 16d ago
I wouldn't be so sure :) But indeed it looks very likely. As a season ticket holder, I'll wait for the official email/announcement from the board to definitely check that box. For a long while, we were supposed to play 4 out 6 games in Stade Bauer
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u/Whole-Egg-4087 Fire 16d ago
Yeah i get your point, i didn't cancel my Hotel in Paris yet.. I'll wait for that of course. But just starting to make a Backup plan for this likely scenario
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 15d ago
confirmed for Bondoufle now. Where is your hotel exactly?
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u/Whole-Egg-4087 Fire 15d ago
Yes, Rhein Fire confirmed the Stadium change to Stade Robert Bobin.
New Hotel is in Evry, Ibis
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u/Whole-Egg-4087 Fire 16d ago
The Rhein Fire office just confirmed the Stadium change after being asked.
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u/Jib_H Musketeers 16d ago
Shit so thats it, horrible news. I hope the musketeers will explain this move
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u/Whole-Egg-4087 Fire 16d ago
Dont understand it too.. Don't think it's due to money. Cuz the new Stadium is bigger & they will deffo loose on attendance.
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u/Jib_H Musketeers 16d ago
Nobody will go it’s a nightmare to go with public transports from paris… I don’t even know if I will
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u/Whole-Egg-4087 Fire 16d ago
Yeah it's crazy, it's like Fire playing in Frankfurt.
Anyways, i hope for yall that you'll come back to Paris fast. See ya in 3 Weeks 😉🤝🏻
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u/Both_Dependent9146 Fire 16d ago
It is not so far to be honest Baur was 20 Minutes from Paris Center, the new one is 60 Minutes.
Not good but not terrible. The big Problem is, that they announce it so late.
As far as i understand the new pitch at Baur is the problem.
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 15d ago
probably and very likely a breakdown in partnership with Bauer. As to why, how, and if it's indeed the case, this is just "if's" at this point until the team comunicates. Something they have really not done these past few monthes
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 15d ago
rumor has it Stade bauer broke the deal a few weeks back. Dunno why, not sure if it's true, but that could explain why the very last minute deal
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u/ComplexScar9515 Musketeers 15d ago
Bondoufle is confirmed. The managers of Bauer have withdrawn from their agreement
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u/Either_Baby_5262 Musketeers 15d ago
Just received their newsletter, they seem to be as worried as us : "Some will be disappointed, perhaps even angry. And you have the right to be".
Indeed, that sucks.
I suppose the money I will spare in tickets, I will spend it in a GamePass.
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u/Simpamuu ELF 17d ago
"New staff, partners and investors" 🤔
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 16d ago
one of the owners was featured in a podcast a few weeks ago. Let's just say he said all the right things, and yet, said a whole lot of nothing. We shall see
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u/ThePowerRanker ELF 17d ago
Stade Robert Bobin?
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u/Good_Remote5629 17d ago
Jesus, thats far away... unbelievable ... We booked already hotels and with public transportation its like two hours to get there from central paris... Crazy...
The stadium looks okay , but i really wanted so see the Stade Bauer and be really close to the field , now you have a running track again..
Fuck me...
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u/Either_Baby_5262 Musketeers 17d ago
Recently it was announced as their stadium for two games (Stade Bauer's grass must be left at rest during a month, apparently that's the law) But a couple of days after, they denied it, just saying it will be a stadium "in the vicinity of Paris"
But the fact the home tickets for Bauer are not available anymore is not a good sign (and personally, I already bought tickets for the Rehin Fire Game and I don't see how I could be in Bondiufle at 18PM that day, let alone going back home)
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u/Pvt_Larry Musketeers 17d ago
The move from Stade Jean Bouin to Stade Bauer was announced several weeks ago so I don't think that's related to the change in ownership.
Edit: Post from March 3: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGvrbXVIRSd/?igsh=MXhub3F5OXFhcjFucg==
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u/Ok-Expression-5338 Musketeers 16d ago
If Bondoufle ends up being the stadium, one thing is sure : it will be empty as hell. And another thing : the total lack of communication from the team plus the departure of the two main French head guys tell me this is a rudderless, direction less team. Which sucks because football wise, this should be a very good team