It is a measure of Parramatta's ambition that, as they were collecting their second consecutive wooden spoon, they knocked on the door of the Seattle Seahawks.
Perhaps even more surprising is the reigning NFL champions - worth a tick over $1 billion according to Forbes magazine - handed them an access-all-areas pass.
The Eels are determined to continue their resurgence and are picking the brains of leading sporting organisations from around the world. Only last week they welcomed Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann to Pirtek Stadium.
Now they are preparing to go on the ultimate study tour, to the home of the Vince Lombardi Trophy holders.
The Eels will send a delegation to Seattle's 68,000-seat CenturyLink Field to watch how the NFL poster boys play, train and engage with the community.
Rather than a one-off visit, it will be the beginning of a long-term relationship as the clubs swap ideas in the hope of getting an edge on rivals.
It's a project Eels chief executive Scott Seward and his staff have been working on from the moment he got into the top job and will come to fruition when they touch down in Washington state this year.
The idea-swapping has already begun. On Friday, Seattle's director of event presentation and fan engagement, Mark Tamar, popped into blue and gold headquarters.
Tamar, who has more than 30 years' experience in a organisations including the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers and the NHL's Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues, said Parramatta would be warmly welcomed in Seattle.
"The Seahawks are well known for the passion and intensity of our fan base," Tamar said.
"Last year we broke the Guinness Book of Records for the loudest stadium in the world. Our relationship with our fans is envied by teams all across the world.
"By the Eels coming over and visiting us they will see that first-hand. We can drop some insights into how they can develop that relationship with their own team."
Seahawks fans are considered the most passionate in the NFL and have been dubbed The 12th Man because of their ability to lift the players. The Eels have taken a small but significant step in turning their own home ground into a fortress by remaining undefeated at Pirtek Stadium in 2014.
"If you can't win at home, you can't win anywhere," Tamar said.
"That's the first line you cross, defending your home. Our fan base is part of our team, they have an effect on our team. They have been instrumental in more games than I can count. Our stadium is one place in the NFL where no one wants to play. We want people to walk in afraid of playing in our field, that's a huge advantage for us.
"It also motivates our players. We owe that to our fan base, we honour them on a daily basis and we appreciate their input, believe me."
In searching for examples of best practice in world sport, Seward said the Seahawks were the obvious choice.
"Why would you go anywhere else?" Seward said.
"We want to be the best here, so we wanted to learn from the best in the world. They are one of the greatest community engagement success stories in the world. We want to see how they do everything in every part of the business and see how we can adapt that to our team and community.
"It's important to keep your eyes open and have the ability to learn from people, regardless of where they are in the world.
"We look at people who are doing the very best in their field because that's exactly what we want to be. Hopefully, in time, they will be looking at us."
The Eels will have another opportunity to continue their resurgence when they host the bottom-placed Knights on Sunday.
Replies
Isn't it great how management types get to initiate programs that take them overseas?!!!
I'm liking Seward more & more now. - We will NOT be beaten at home this year
YOU! It was you who put the mockers on us.
Its only a Junket if i'm not involved.
It was yummy though, made some good jelly looking shit
Not if you're partial to a good curry.
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