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  • 02/01/2012, 11:52AM ET

There will never be an NFL franchise in the UK.

MagicSpecs (4-8-1) vs Grue (45-9-3)
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It has long been a goal of NFL to expand and grow the sport to new markets. And, for the good of the sport, rightly so. As part of this initiative, 2012 will see the sixth NFL regular season game played in London.
The St Louis Rams have agreed to 'give up' one home fixture in each of the next three seasons in favour of hosting a game each year at Wembley. In 2012 they face the New England Patriots, who will play at Wembley for the second time after their 35-7 victory over Tampa Bay in 2009.

Invariably, as the event nears media reports of an NFL franchise relocation (usually Jacksonville, Tampa Bay or St Louis themselves) or expansion into Europe is peddled and hyped. Here I say "Poppycock". It will not happen. And here is why:

1) There is no suitable and available venue to host 8 home games.
2) There is no suitable way to provide London with a team, through expansion or relocation.
3) Whilst there is a fanbase to fill Wembley 4 years out of 5, there is not one to sell out 8 home games a year.
4) There is no more TV money to be made in the UK by having a UK-based team.
5) America just won't like it.


I hereby rest my case. All the best.


I like the challenge here. Since your case is rested, please allow me to take three arguments to debunk.

The NFL wants an international presence. The NFL generates billions of dollars. The NFL has billionaire owners, at least one has the goal establishing a strong European market immediately. You're telling FanNation that a group of billionaires will never get something they want.

Think like an owner not like a fan.

Cliche: Never say never. You made the topic so you recognize the probability of a UK franchise. Billionaire owners, like Stan Kroenke, do not have the same decision criteria as fans. Teams are investments. What seems rational for a fan or player is less important to a billionaire investor. If a billionaire is willing to take a risk because he believes it will increase that value of the franchise, he will.

Fact: America loves football. The vast majority of Americans do not travel to games. They watch on TV. The UK is 5 hours ahead of the East Coast so an owner knows moving to Europe means every home game is on prime time US television. Average TV revenue per game is probably higher than US teams. On TV, location doesn't matter.

Comments (37) Add A Comment

February 1, 2012  11:57 AM ET
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Well, thanks for destroying the dreams of the British.

What next?

"There will never be freedom in the Middle East"

Geez

February 1, 2012  11:59 AM ET
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There will never be a viable cricket team in the USA either.

February 1, 2012  11:59 AM ET
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There will never be a space colony established on the sun.

February 1, 2012  11:59 AM ET
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Would you prefer the Throwdown: "There will be an NFL franchise in the UK before there is freedom in the Middle East"?

February 1, 2012  12:00 PM ET
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Two hit the UK every year.

Or is this some kind of FAA ban?

Comment #6 has been removed
February 1, 2012  12:02 PM ET
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Maybe if we colonize England and take over there Government with military force.

February 1, 2012  12:03 PM ET
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QUOTE(#4):
Originally posted 11:59 AM ET  02.01 by MagicSpecs

Would you prefer the Throwdown: "There will be an NFL franchise in the UK before there is freedom in the Middle East"?

Actually, there is much freedom in the middle east. Israel is a free country. Jordan has much freedom. Abu Dhabi has freedom. A better argument would be "peace in the middle east"

February 1, 2012  12:05 PM ET
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QUOTE(#7):
Originally posted 12:02 PM ET  02.01 by Grue

Maybe if we colonize England and take over there Government with military force.

We could pay for a stadium by adding a Tea tax.

February 1, 2012  12:21 PM ET
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QUOTE(#8):
Originally posted 12:03 PM ET  02.01 by Gruden

Actually, there is much freedom in the middle east. Israel is a free country. Jordan has much freedom. Abu Dhabi has freedom. A better argument would be "peace in the middle east"

Even with that, much of the Middle East is at peace.

February 1, 2012  12:39 PM ET
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QUOTE(#8):
Originally posted 12:03 PM ET  02.01 by Gruden

Actually, there is much freedom in the middle east. Israel is a free country. Jordan has much freedom. Abu Dhabi has freedom. A better argument would be "peace in the middle east"

Very true.

I was just jokin' around.

February 1, 2012  12:39 PM ET
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QUOTE(#10):
Originally posted 12:21 PM ET  02.01 by Bayern

Even with that, much of the Middle East is at peace.

Ditto Comment #11

February 1, 2012  12:56 PM ET
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QUOTE(#3):
Originally posted 11:59 AM ET  02.01 by Gruden

There will never be a space colony established on the sun.

Newt Gingrich is probably down for trying.

February 1, 2012  01:26 PM ET
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The NFL will also never exist in Aghganistan.

February 1, 2012  01:58 PM ET
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The NFL will have a team in the UK and probably a couple of other countries as well. Not saying it will happen in the next 10 years but global expansion is inevitable. There are only so many markets in this country that can support a NFL team. Most of those markets are being used and after the few left are filled do you people actually think the NFL will stop expanding its product? That will never happen.

Like it or not there will be a team in London.

Comment #16 has been removed
Comment #17 has been removed
Comment #18 has been removed
February 1, 2012  02:20 PM ET
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QUOTE(#14):
Originally posted 01:26 PM ET  02.01 by bostongm

The NFL will also never exist in Aghganistan.

Probably because nobody knows where Aghganistan is.

 
February 1, 2012  04:00 PM ET
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QUOTE(#15):
Originally posted 01:58 PM ET  02.01 by BuckyBadger.

The NFL will have a team in the UK and probably a couple of other countries as well. Not saying it will happen in the next 10 years but global expansion is inevitable. There are only so many markets in this country that can support a NFL team. Most of those markets are being used and after the few left are filled do you people actually think the NFL will stop expanding its product? That will never happen.Like it or not there will be a team in London.

agreed

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