The NFL is continuing its international expansion that began 17 years ago when the league decided to test the game in other countries. In that sense, London has positioned itself as a regular city for American Football.
This year is a clear example of that, with three of the five international games taking place in the UK capital. So the question arises as to whether the league might consider having an entire franchise based in London.
There is a growing interest in American football
Although the NFL is an American sport, there is growing interest from outside the country. When tickets for the Vikings-Saints game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were announced, they sold out in no time. The same happened for the match between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers at the same stadium this Sunday.
This phenomenon of having packed London stadiums to watch NFL games prompted former players Maurice Jones-Drew to talk about the possibility of the NFL having a team in London.
“From a financial standpoint, from the standpoint of whether a team can come here and whether the city of London can have an NFL franchise, yes, absolutely it can,” he said.
“I think there is an appetite for the NFL around the world, but I think the first place they would start with and the place they would feel most comfortable with would be London.
“That’s because the fans have really taken to it, and they know it would work.”
Is a London franchise viable?
One of the main issues that arise is the logistical issue. A team in London means long commutes. It’s not only about game day, but also about finding training locations, hotels, etc. However, a league like the NFL is able to handle those details.
Another aspect would be the schedule. Jones-Drew has a recommendation in that regard.
“So they may have to play two or three games in a row here and then be away from home for two or three weeks,” he said.
The problem may arise if the London-based team makes the playoffs.
Although there are no active talks about an expansion to England, the option remains on the table for the next few years. If the logistical and scheduling issues are resolved, it opens up an interesting prospect for a league that is becoming more and more open to other audiences.
.