Is London near an NFL franchise?

LONDON – Every time the NFL international series comes to town, the same question always comes up: is it a question of when or if London will get a franchise?

The question is as inevitable as the plethora of jerseys worn by football fans at matches, or the smell of barbecues and beers at the gates. But there is a growing sense that a potential franchise is closer than ever to becoming a reality.

What are the main obstacles to overcome and how would it work?

When can a franchise start in London?

NFL circles are optimistic about the idea of ​​creating a London-based franchise by 2022. NFL Executive Vice President Mark Waller told ESPN that it was a question of 'a' business-as-usual 'calendar, while the current collective agreement and media contracts expire in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Waller highlighted how 29 of the 32 franchises have played in London since the launch of the International Series in 2007 and have seen for themselves "the passion, the size, the scale and the enthusiasm for the sport".

"The fact that they can see it, touch it, play it, know it works, know they can travel and be competitive every season [the four winning teams in London in 2017 all reached the playoffs]I think we are closer than ever, "continued Waller," We have tested and continue to test all variables. This year, playing three games [on successive Sundays] at Wembley tested the field, tested the ability to sell on consecutive weekends, which would require us to plan any franchise based here. I think we are in good shape. "

Such was the demand, when the opening of the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was delayed and the Seahawks-Raiders match moved to Wembley, as the 20,000 additional tickets sold out in the blink of an eye and that the most popular game in London. That record was then beaten Sunday for the Eagles-Jaguars game played in front of 85,870 spectators. Only Dallas has hosted more games in the NFL this season.

The late Tottenham stadium turned a possible setback for the NFL in the UK, a decisive moment in this 12th season of matches in London. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praised the "extraordinary" political support given to this venture, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan being a strong supporter of the league's international expansion.

Although Khan would like a Super Bowl in London, the complexity of time zones makes it a very unlikely task. Instead, the league focuses firmly on testing all the variables involved in having a franchise abroad. The NFL confirmed Monday that the 2019 season would see four games in London, as it was in 2017. It's just a move to a time when London will host eight regular season games, just like a franchise should organize each season.

How would a franchise work?

A London franchise would likely play its games in blocks, with a lot of home games before then going on the road and vice versa. This would limit the number of transatlantic trips.

Waller thinks that a franchise would probably have a center of operations in the United States and London. "This would allow us to ensure that the team, when playing there, would have an operations center for the entire season in order to work on the list of players, recruitment and replenishment, "he said.

Regarding the location of the London franchise, there has been a disappointment in recent weeks when the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shad Khan, has withdrawn from the offer. purchase of Wembley Stadium. That had been the reaction against the proposal in the United Kingdom, the Football Association having done everything to consider selling what many consider a valuable asset for English football.

This news was announced while ESPN interviewed Waller and there was no doubt that it was a blow for the NFL and for Khan. Waller declined to comment but was clearly surprised.

This means that the Tottenham stadium is clearly the favorite to become the main venue of a future franchise. Their surface, with a capacity of 62,062 people, is equipped with a retractable ground. It was built in the optics of the NFL, including two large dressing rooms to accommodate the teams. Despite this year's delays and the relocation of the Raiders-Seahawks match, the NFL confirmed Monday the organization of two games from next year.

Tottenham's dedication to the NFL has enabled them to acquire merchandise in the stadium's new megastore, with various franchise sweaters and other accessories on sale. They went all in.

"It is clear that we would not put all this in this stage if there was no possibility that one day a team would come to London," Levy "There is certainly no guarantee that a team will come to London, and B), they have to use our stadium, I think we are making every effort in the hope of doing so."

What are the remaining roadblocks?

As it is unlikely that the NFL will expand beyond 32 franchises, it will take a single owner to take the step and accept the risk of relocation.

But there are other logistical difficulties and any franchise based in London should be taken into account in the new collective agreement.

"It would be a significant change in the working conditions of one of our teams, so it would require an agreement with our players' union," said Waller.

The NFL is in talks with the UK government on economic and fiscal issues that should be reflected in the salary cap. Brexit is currently considered to facilitate the existence of a franchise in London because it removes some legal hurdles, while the model and system of revenue sharing could have been problematic if the UK remained in the UK. European Union after March 2019.

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