A London franchise appears on the horizon... what next, a London Super Bowl?
Momentum for America's game continues to grow this side of the pond
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Your support makes all the difference.Before Alistair Kirkwood, manager director of the NFL UK, confirmed that Wembley will host three games at Wembley next year, rumours that the NFL will stage five games in London in 2015 were rife.
The reason Kirkwood gave for Wembley not hosting five games was due to the Rugby World Cup. Had the tournament not been staged in this country, Wembley may well have booked five International Series games into its schedule in 2015.
Still, nobody’s complaining about the chance to see three live NFL games in London next year.
Whatever has contributed to the growth of the sport – Kirkwood attributes it to increased accessibility – the evidence of its interest is unmistakable. Since 2007 there has been a rise of 15 per cent in amateur participation. Before the first International Series game in 2007 the British Universities American Football League had 42 registered teams; now there are 75.
The sharp upsurge in interest in this country begs the question; surely London will get its own franchise in the near future?
Back in September Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it’s a matter of “when, not if” a London franchise in introduced.
And Jones speaks with an air of authority. He is, after all, the owner of the wealthiest NFL franchise.
The windfalls for the economy alone make a London franchise an irresistible discussion. A study published by accountants Deloitte on Wednesday 29 revealed that a London team would bring over £100 million to the UK, per year. That figure is based on the £32 million already made from the two International Series games played this year.
The NFL staged its 10 International Series game on Sunday 26, this one between the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions. 83,532 watched the Lions produce an almighty comeback to beat the Falcons 22-21, but the attendance figures shouldn’t shock anyone; the turnout at one of these games hasn’t dipped below 83,000 since 2011, when the fifth International Series game was held.
There are logistical problems that may render a London franchise impossible, but the fact that it’s being talked about by those at the highest of echelons is significant.
In May league commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the project was “becoming more realistic.” If Goodell says it, you know those logistical problems are mere hurdles that shrink ever smaller when the financial gains are recalled.
First there was just one International Series game in 2007 through 2012, then two in 2013 and three in 2014 and 2015.
A London franchise is on the horizon. What next, a London Super Bowl?
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