 Many factors combined to produce an explosive growth in this new sport which had been imported from the United States.The number of teams grew from 8 in 1985 to around 40 by the end of the 1980s.In addition, the teams from larger cities were able to professionalise further by obtaining large sponsors, attracted by the freshness of the sport and the considerable media attention both in the TV and press, which enabled them to hire American players and coaches.