Jags to London?

[Seoul_Panther]

The Jags are the most obvious candidate, should the NFL ever expand overseas. They have been playing home games in London for several years. Khan also owns a controlling stake in London team Fulham. Yes it is some distance from fruition but now Khan seems to be positioning himself to purchase London’s iconic Wembley stadium.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43906272

who knows it may come to naught, and in the end likely any outcome is years away. But this certainly appears to be part of a plan to gain footing to establish an overseas franchise.

 Can you see this happening?

[Davidson Deac II]

No.

In fact, I think football's popularity will lessen a little over the next few years, and we might see a few teams such as the Jag's, fold in next 10-20 years.  

[Seoul_Panther]

1 minute ago, Davidson Deac II said:

No.

In fact, I think football's popularity will lessen a little over the next few years, and we might see a few teams such as the Jag's, fold in next 10-20 years.  

  Fair enough. But wouldn’t that then make a move more likely?

[Nate Dogg]

Football is dying. The NFL has over saturated the market. It's not going to take too many more kids dying or getting severely damaging injuries for middle schools and high schools to start shutting down programs. By 2030 football as it is right now will be a thing of the past.

[Mr. Scot]

I don't buy that it'll happen.

I know Goodell loves the idea, but I'm pretty sure the players hate it.

[brandon_87]

Every player that's been interviewed has said they hate going there, and as bad as Goodell wants to put a team there, it's just a bad move. 

 

I mean... Wtf happened to NFL Europe? Bring that back, don't wreck this league 

[Seoul_Panther]

I totally get these reactions. I don’t disagree with the many obstacles being listed. But remember that there is a big fanbase in Europe who would welcome it. A franchise would make money there and be well supported.

It would certainly create some kickback from players   and the US fanbase though. In my own mind I have plenty of questions about how they could make it work.

 Anyway for me it’s an interesting story to keep tabs on.

[bleedsgreenandgold]

I can't see a team permanently moving overseas, too many obstacles to overcome. I could see the NFL adding a game or two in some other countries like Germany, China, etc. 

[Davidson Deac II]

18 minutes ago, Seoul_Panther said:

I totally get these reactions. I don’t disagree with the many obstacles being listed. But remember that there is a big fanbase in Europe who would welcome it. A franchise would make money there and be well supported.

It would certainly create some kickback from players   and the US fanbase though. In my own mind I have plenty of questions about how they could make it work.

 Anyway for me it’s an interesting story to keep tabs on.

Is there a big fanbase there?   IMO, its a few expats, and the occasional european.  Sure,  they fill up wembley stadium once a year or so.  And if the NFL had a game in Alabama, they would fill up the stadium there.  Doesn't mean they could support a NFL franchise.  

And if a team is about to fold, I don't think the increased cost of running a team in London is going to help much.  Yeah, they might do ok for a year or two as a curiosity, but after that, I think they would look back fondly at the crowds in the states.

 

 

 

[Trev_GFC]

If the NFL wants a London franchise then surely Spurs’ new stadium is primed for it?! It’s being built for dual use: soccer and NFL! I don’t know whether Spurs are asking for too much rent or something, but I can’t see Spurs without a franchise.

I don’t particularly like Wembley. I mean, it’s a fantastic stadium, but it’s not a soccer stadium. The old Wembley was the home of (English) football, but then when England played their home games at Anfield, Old Trafford, Newcastle etc it was a refreshing change. This new one is full of corporate seats, expensive concessions and ticket prices, and with cup semi finals being held there it feels a bit watered-down. I’m open to England leaving Wembley but personally I don’t see it happening. Once the stadium’s been repaid it’ll be a money-making machine.

[Seoul_Panther]

33 minutes ago, Davidson Deac II said:

Is there a big fanbase there?   IMO, its a few expats, and the occasional european.  Sure,  they fill up wembley stadium once a year or so.  And if the NFL had a game in Alabama, they would fill up the stadium there.  Doesn't mean they could support a NFL franchise.  

 Speaking as an Englishman, yes, IMO there is a big fanbase. Many fans come from Holland and Germany to watch London NFL games, it’s a shorter distance than from North to South Carolina. Remember NFL Europe was no more than a feeder league. It collapsed because fans didn’t want to watch a poor standard. 

And if a team is about to fold, I don't think the increased cost of running a team in London is going to help much.  Yeah, they might do ok for a year or two as a curiosity, but after that, I think they would look back fondly at the crowds in the states.

  I don’t think cost to run a team in the UK would be markedly different or prohibitive to a billionaire owner. They are looking to protect their investment. Rightly or wrongly they likely don’t give a damn about cost to fans. They want a market with potential for growth. Jacksonville barely half filled their stadium with a successful team last year.

 

 

 

[Saca312]

1 hour ago, Nate Dogg said:

By 2030 football as it is right now will be a thing of the past.

For people actually paying attention if anything football is getting more popular in the high school/college areas. Football's not even close to dying.

[Seoul_Panther]

8 minutes ago, Trev_GFC said:

If the NFL wants a London franchise then surely Spurs’ new stadium is primed for it?! It’s being built for dual use: soccer and NFL! I don’t know whether Spurs are asking for too much rent or something, but I can’t see Spurs without a franchise.

I don’t particularly like Wembley. I mean, it’s a fantastic stadium, but it’s not a soccer stadium. The old Wembley was the home of (English) football, but then when England played their home games at Anfield, Old Trafford, Newcastle etc it was a refreshing change. This new one is full of corporate seats, expensive concessions and ticket prices, and with cup semi finals being held there it feels a bit watered-down. I’m open to England leaving Wembley but personally I don’t see it happening. Once the stadium’s been repaid it’ll be a money-making machine.

There would be considerable resistance about any club team selling their stadium from it’s fans. In England, soccer is bound to community very strongly. Wembley is quite different. It’s perceived much more as a multi purpose venue and prior to its rebuild was privately owned. Soccer fans really don’t take well to sharing a perfectly groomed playing surface with another use such as concert or a rugby match.

[t96]

This could only come after a SST that can fly over land without a sonic boom effect is developed and cost effective. Otherwise logistically it won’t work. That won’t be for some years anyways, possibly decades.