Here's How Close London Is to Getting an NFL Team

Now that this year’s portion of the NFL International Series in the United Kingdom is complete, the inevitable question must be asked: is London any closer to getting an NFL franchise?

According to ESPN, it’s almost time to break out a celebratory pint.

By some optimistic estimates, there could be a London-based franchise by 2022.

Presented with that date, NFL executive vice-president Mark Waller said that was a “logical timeframe from a business-perspective” and pointed out the league’s current CBA and media contracts expire in 2020 and 2022, respectively.

If a team is placed in London, that would have be factored into the CBA as well as any media deals when those pacts are re-negotiated.

There is obviously demand for the sport in the UK as Sunday’s Eagles-Jaguars game was played in front of 85,870 fans. Only the Cowboys have played in front of a larger crowd in Dallas in the NFL this season.

“The fact that they can see it, touch it, play it, know that works, know they can travel back and be competitive in their seasons [the four winning teams in London in 2017 all reached the playoffs], I think we’re closer than ever,” Waller said. “We have tested and continue to test all the variables. This year, playing three games [on successive Sundays] at Wembley has tested the field, tested the ability to sell out on consecutive weekends, which is how we’d have to schedule any franchise based here. I think we’re in good shape.”

The 2019 season will probably see four games in London with the goal of the city eventually hosting eight in order to replicate what a team would do during the regular season.

The NFL International Series will finish in Mexico City when the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams play at Estadio Azteca on November 19.