How Plausible Is An NFL Franchise in London?

NFL

BY NISAR KHAN

With the American Football fanbase vastly growing in the UK, there has been a lot of talk about a possible franchise based in London. But how likely is this, and what are the pros and cons?



IMAGE COURTESY: Telegraph.co.uk

The most key factors and complications are broken down in this article as we evaluate the possibility of NFL having a team based in London.

From a long, up to 11 hour flight from US to UK, a national Stadium that could cause a stir and Brits loving an American game, the argument could go either way.

Time Frame & Travel

Getting NFL players across the Atlantic week in and week out could cause some problems. However, in this case the scheduling of NFL games benefits the NFL London franchise.

Flights on average from the United States to the UK can range from six to eleven hours. While this brings problems in regards to more playing and possible practice time being wasted on a flight, it still seems possible considering that it will be out of one week.

It can still not be overlooked though, considering that up to 24 hours could be consumed on flights and travel alone (including times for checking, other complications) meaning that it will have a knock-on effect on the next week of training. 

As for the possible London franchise itself, they could be on a road trip around the States meaning that they won’t have to spend as much time travelling from UK to US, although still travelling around the States.

Another advantage in the favor of the London franchise is the no-game weeks for clubs. They could be scheduled following the team’s away fixture in London so not as much time is consumed and practice may not be hindered. 

Stadium

Wembley Stadium has hosted the NFL International Series games over the past years and could be the host for the London franchise itself.

With that being said, having Wembley Stadium for the season will not only come at a great financial cost but may not be possible considering its other uses like the England national team and several events.

Whether the UK would consent from the general public to dedicate one of its marquee stadiums to a non-British sport remains to be seen, although support for the NFL has soared over the recent years. 

Each team plays sixteen games over the 17-week period, so they play 8 games at their home stadium along with a possible wildcard game and playoffs along with 2 preseason fixtures. 

At the moment Wembley Stadium sees up to three NFL games per season, it would take some doing to increase that, but it is not as much commitment as it first seems. A wild possibility would be varying stadiums throughout London, but that may not be obliged.

There have been sell-outs for regular NFL season games in London. GETTY IMAGES

Scheduling

A London franchise throws in more complications to the already rampant job of NFL schedulers.

They would need to consider the trips taking the toll on the visiting team and how this problem can be bypassed, along with when the stadium is free. This could take up most of the time in working towards the franchise.

Categorizing

With 32 teams currently in the NFL, how would adding a team affect this? In addition, which conference would the London franchise be situated in?

Considering its the National Football League, it isn’t exactly designed to make way for InterNational teams, so this would require a major change in the NFL system.

Support

This reason is how the argument and speculation about the franchise came about in the first place. With such a vast, growing support for the National Football League in the UK, Wembley (or another stadium possibly) will often be packed to the rafters as the Brits get more of the NFL. 

If three games for the NFL 2014 International series were able to sell out so quickly, then adding a few more won’t hurt, it will bring more fans in along with attracting the rest of the European fanbase. 

Away fans

Like in any sport, while a team may have home advantage, there is always support for the away side.

This matter may be different should an NFL franchise come to London. Support will be nearing 100% in favor of the Londoners, and not many may make the trip across the Atlantic to be part of the game – even if they do there won’t be enough. 

—————–

It could still be some time before the NFL London talk really reaches a focal point, but these key points support either side of the argument.

What do you think? Will an NFL franchise better the league, and could it really happen? Comment in the section below this article or send us a Tweet.

Should the commission go forth and expand to London, it would be a bold move that would take adaptations from the rest of the league.

TheSportMatrix.com

 – Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/

Comparing Percy Harvin and Jacoby Jones’ Second Half Touchdown Returns From Previous Super Bowls

NFL

BY NISAR KHAN

In the past two Super Bowls, the second half was opened with a terrific touchdown return from Jacoby Jones and Percy Harvin respectively. But which was better?

Percy Harvin and Jacoby Jones returned the ball to get a touchdown in the first play of the second half.

Both players would receive the ball following the second half kick-off, and run the ball through numerous attempted tackles to score an emphatic touchdown.

Jacoby Jones ran a record-breaking 107-yard touchdown at Super Bowl 47 to further sink the 49ers after half-time, while Percy Harvin’s 87 yard touchdown was a further statement of a now-imminent Seahawks’ win.

Jacoby Jones’ touchdown



Received: The Ravens player picks the ball up from the end zone without any bounces or no-one charging toward him.

Yards: 107

Jacoby Jones picked up the ball from the end zone and was backed up by his fellow teammates as he charged the ball forward, through ten defenders after some great blocking, to score the touchdown.

Percy Harvin’s touchdown



Received: Percy Harvin received the ball on the 13-yard line after the ball bounces, by that time there are players charging toward him.

Yards: 87

With a bounce before the Seahawks’ runner picked up the ball, Percy Harvin ran round tacklers and through more attempted tackles with little blocks from his teammates, running to the end zone to sink the Broncos.

Comparison

At a first look, because Jacoby Jones’ touchdown was a record-breaking run, it can easily be pointed out as better. But one touchdown was more individual while the other was a compilation of great team work. 

Jacoby Jones was behind Ravens who were blocking out the tacklers, and when he picked up the ball he was able to charge forward and gain momentum while the Ravens almost paved the way for him to charge for the touchdown. 

One year later, Percy Harvin scored in the same situation, but with a more individual touchdown to an extent. Whereas Jones could gain momentum, there were already players awaiting Harvin, so he had to accelerate more to get through, cutting in through the players while it almost was a tunnel formed for Jones’ touchdown. 

We’ll leave the question of whose was better, to you. Comment in the section below. 

TheSportMatrix.com

 – Sports for the Fans, by the Fans.

Share This Post:

Connect With Us!

/**/

Follow @_TheSportMatrix /**/