Could Wembley be the home for new NFL franchise?
THE second NFL league match takes place at Wembley this weekend, after the success of the Raiders-Dolphins match last month. Of course, American Football is still a puzzle to many (good thing we’ve got a beginner’s guide here), but the popularity of the game grows hugely in the UK.
And now, it looks like London is moving ever closer to hosting a new NFL franchise after George Osborne opened talks with the American Football authorities. Everyone hopes it’ll be better than the London Monarchs which, was a nice idea executed badly (not to mention the awful kit they had).
The Chancellor is looking at pushing on with the idea of an NFL team being based at Wembley permanently.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Osborne said: “One of London’s massive strengths is its sporting prowess, its great football (soccer) teams. This is primarily a decision for the owners of the clubs and the NFL organisation but I’ve said to the NFL that anything the Government can do to make this happen we will do, because I think it would be a huge boost to London.”
“We could have not just the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of NFL games but also God Save The Queen.’
The appetite is clearly there, with the NFL event at London’s Regent Street being a huge success – busy and big enough to impress George Osbourne and the dollar signs in his eyes.
“Regent Street was absolutely packed and not just with tourist but with Londoners. There are 32 teams in America – and one of them could be a London team. That’s a serious prospect.”
This weekend, Detroit Lions play the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley and next month sees the Dallas Cowboys tackling the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Posted: 22nd, November 2014 | In: Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
