LONDON -- Seeking to restore the allure of the FA Cup, English football is looking to American sport to see how some glitz can be added to the final of world footballs oldest domestic cup competition. Sami Khedira Jersey . Once the main event in the English football calendar and a must-see TV event globally, some of the cups appeal has been lost as the more lucrative Premier League and Champions League appear to be outshining the 140-year competition. Wembley Stadium has staged NFL regular season games for five years, giving a glimpse of how the FA Cup final could be spiced up with more entertainment and glamor there. "We are always learning, we are investing more internal marketing resources alongside that (broadcaster) ITV and Budweiser put in," FA General Secretary Alex Horne said while overlooking the Wembley pitch. "As a collective we all think we can make something more of the day of the final and the event -- whether its on the pitch or the buildup to the event. "Of course we can learn from the NBA events or the NFL events ... there are many people who do this well." While looking west across the Atlantic for inspiration on event management, Horne is not losing sight of the competitions big fan base in the East. "The FA Cup continues to attract huge audiences throughout the world, especially in Asia," Horne said. "China and Thailand are huge markets for English football and the FA Cup in particular. We had a global audience of half a billion for the FA Cup final last year so we know its a very relevant product." But the FA Cup final could be moved from its traditional kickoff time this season in a bid to boost British TV audiences, potentially hitting Asian viewing figures. The final is set to be at 5:15 p.m. instead of 3 p.m, while talks are under way with the Premier League about preventing a repeat of last season when the match had to be played on the same day as a topflight league program for the first time in 50 years. That led to Manchester United clinching a record 19th league title just before local rival City ended a 35-year trophy drought by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley. "The important thing for us is giving (the final) an identity, even if it is not on the last day of the season," Horne said. The problem of the FA Cup final sharing the day with other big matches in England could be exacerbated by the Champions League final returning to Wembley in 2013 after being staged there last May. UEFA needs the stadium for two weeks before the match. But ahead of the fourth round this weekend, the FA has sought to highlight the enduring value of the cup, with a study showing that clubs have collectively earned around 650 million pounds ($1 billion) over the last 10 years in prize money, TV payments and ticket revenue. Such rewards can have a transformational effect on teams -- particularly those lower down the pecking order "When Burton secured a replay at Old Trafford (against Manchester United in 2006) they earned 700,000 pounds ($1.1 million) in that year," Horne said. "That enabled them to pay off the debt on their stadium, invest in playing talent and ultimately progress into the Football League. "Crawley last year earned 1.5 million pounds ($2.4 million) from the competition, including a 1 million pound ($1.6 million) payday at Old Trafford." The FA Cup is in the first year of a 24 million pound ($38 million), three-year title sponsorship deal with American beer brand Budweiser. Asier Illarramendi Real Madrid Jersey . Shaun Miller headed a dramatic winner for the third-tier club just a minute before the end of extra time of a particularly dour contest in the rain at Craven Cottage. United, which claimed its second Premier League scalp of the campaign after knocking out Aston Villa in the third round, is second from bottom in League One. James Rodriguez Jersey . The midfielder had an operation on Saturday, and is set to miss seven Premier League games, the third round of the FA Cup and the semifinals of the League Cup.The Montreal Impact have made an addition to head coach Frank Klopas coaching staff. Nikolaos Kounenakis has been hired as an assistant coach, the team announced on Monday. The 36-year-old most recently was an assistant coach for OFI Crete in the Greek Super League and holds his UEFA Pro Licence. "Im very happy to add Nikos to our group," said Klopas. "He will bring a wealth of experience as a former player who then worked as a coach. Karim Benzema Jersey. He will complement the staff that we have. Its a fantastic addition for us." Kounenakis appeared for the Greek U-16 and U-21 teams as well as for OFI Crete during his playing career. The Port Elizabeth, South Africa native also spent one season with the Kansas City Wizards. wholesale jerseys authentic wholesale jerseys nfl cheap cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys china wholesale jerseys ' ' '
