Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

NFL expanding to London on permanent basis?

OzzO

.. and then?
All this time was speculation of the Jags (that I recall), seems it may be the Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers continue to be a disappointment for the NFL. Not in the sense that they're not good on the field (although sometimes that's the case, at least until November rolls around), but in the sense that the Chargers cannot manage to generate any fan interest in L.A.

As a result, the Chargers could be the first NFL team to move to London on a full-time basis. According to a report from Vincent Bonsignore of "The Athletic," the Bolts and the NFL both have interest in the Chargers taking their talents across the pond.

Bonsignore, writing with a London byline, reports "the possibility of the Chargers moving to London has been broached among league personnel" and the "Chargers would at least listen if the NFL approached them about about London as a possible option."....
CBS Sports
 

markn

All Pro
Because the NFL is hard enough without adding jet lag, scheduling nightmares, family relocation issues, and contract equivalency problems to the mix.
Yet players from Florida play for the Seahawks, for example.
 

markn

All Pro
Yeah, that's almost completely the same thing. :sarcasm:
Obviously not identical, just using it as an example that moving a great distance isn't a guaranteed objection.

London is an amazing place to live (especially if you have the money) and I'm sure many players would be happy to give it a go.

I don't really care one way or the other, I just don't see it as the logistical impossibility that seems to have been adopted.
 

eriadoc

Texan-American
I don't really care one way or the other, I just don't see it as the logistical impossibility that seems to have been adopted.
Not an impossibility. Anything is possible, especially when you throw millions of dollars at a problem. But as I said above, living the life of an NFL player is difficult, at least in season. Add in a bunch of extra obstacles that players in the US don't face and it definitely begs the question, "Is it worth it?" The answer to that will differ depending on if it's the players answering or the owners. The distance might be the smallest factor in all this and it's three extra time zones away from the furthest US mainland destination at a minimum, perhaps up to five.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ROO

markn

All Pro
No one here is saying anything bad about London..
I know, that's not my point, my point is it's a desirable enough location that I can't see free agency being a major issue. I guess I just don't see the problems others see. Yeah the logistics need to be overcome, but they're far from insurmountable. And you're adding in a very large market.

If it happens it will be a success in my opinion.
 

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
I believe you're thoroughly underestimating the volume of guys who want no business playing in and transplanting their families to England (or any other country overseas for that matter). There are already dudes hating the travel, the food, the taxes, etc. And that's just for the one game a year they may have to deal with. A career?
 

markn

All Pro
I believe you're thoroughly underestimating the volume of guys who want no business playing in and transplanting their families to England (or any other country overseas for that matter). There are already dudes hating the travel, the food, the taxes, etc. And that's just for the one game a year they may have to deal with. A career?
I've seen no evidence either way (but I haven't looked). Is there something that the NFLPA have put out that supports this?
 

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
I've seen no evidence either way (but I haven't looked). Is there something that the NFLPA have put out that supports this?
Why would the nflpa matter? I'm talking about the cultural views of lower income families from the southeast, or in other words a predominant part of the the league at large. These dudes scoff at green bay or Minnesota and food not from their region. London may as well be the moon for many of them.
 

edo783

Hall of Fame
Move the Chargers to London and change their name to the Redcoats. Redcoats vs the Patriots or Redskins could have historical reenactments for halftime shows. Think of the riots and protests! Entertainment at it's finest. LOL
As usual Thorn, your thought process is ...... Unique! That would in deed be a riot, truly must watch TV.
 

markn

All Pro
Why would the nflpa matter? I'm talking about the cultural views of lower income families from the southeast, or in other words a predominant part of the the league at large. These dudes scoff at green bay or Minnesota and food not from their region. London may as well be the moon for many of them.
Re NFLPA: Where else would you turn to get a collective view from the players?

Re culture: That would indeed be an issue for some players, and they might be put off by making that move, just like some don't want to go to NY, Green Bay or wherever. You may lose some players, but I still don't see how it prevents it happening.

You might see an increase in player pool over time as some of Europe's best young athletes decide to give it a go.

I did a quick follow-up of the nflpa... the only thing I can find is a few years old, and while it discusses the obvious hurdles, it certainly doesn't rule it out.


“There are a lot of unresolved issues,” warned Atallah. “There are challenges with the time difference, facilities, medical staff and other things related to the changes to players’ working environment that would need to be agreed.
“A permanent team in London would require collective bargaining between the league and the players’ union and the NFL have not got to the point where they have said we want to raise it.”

Speaking before ’s game at Wembley between the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders, Atallah added: “Most players enjoy the experience of going over to London and from our perspective a team based in the UK could be viable – but only if the working conditions and health and safety aspects are satisfactory.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
Can't generate fan interest 120 miles north of where there is plenty of fan interest for them, so the answer is to move them 5,300 miles further away? Makes perfect NFL sense.
 

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
Re NFLPA: Where else would you turn to get a collective view from the players?

Re culture: That would indeed be an issue for some players, and they might be put off by making that move, just like some don't want to go to NY, Green Bay or wherever. You may lose some players, but I still don't see how it prevents it happening.

You might see an increase in player pool over time as some of Europe's best young athletes decide to give it a go.

I did a quick follow-up of the nflpa... the only thing I can find is a few years old, and while it discusses the obvious hurdles, it certainly doesn't rule it out.


“There are a lot of unresolved issues,” warned Atallah. “There are challenges with the time difference, facilities, medical staff and other things related to the changes to players’ working environment that would need to be agreed.
“A permanent team in London would require collective bargaining between the league and the players’ union and the NFL have not got to the point where they have said we want to raise it.”

Speaking before ’s game at Wembley between the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders, Atallah added: “Most players enjoy the experience of going over to London and from our perspective a team based in the UK could be viable – but only if the working conditions and health and safety aspects are satisfactory.
Not saying it will prevent it from happening either. Just that it'll then be a mess. How long did Kahwi Leonard stay in Canada? His championship team in Canada?

And there are quotes from dudes talking about what a pain it is to be there for all the reasons I've said. And that's just what's on the record. I think you're perhaps looking at this from your own POV rather than how these young men might feel.
 

markn

All Pro
Not saying it will prevent it from happening either. Just that it'll then be a mess. How long did Kahwi Leonard stay in Canada? His championship team in Canada?

And there are quotes from dudes talking about what a pain it is to be there for all the reasons I've said. And that's just what's on the record. I think you're perhaps looking at this from your own POV rather than how these young men might feel.
I'm trying not to, but ultimately isn't that what everyone does?

But really, are we pretending these young men's feelings matter :-)
 

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
I'm trying not to, but ultimately isn't that what everyone does?

But really, are we pretending these young men's feelings matter :-)
Well I'm certainly not taking into account how much I'd like to visit London.

And in terms of where they decide to sign their second contracts, yes.
 

markn

All Pro
Well I'm certainly not taking into account how much I'd like to visit London.

And in terms of where they decide to sign their second contracts, yes.
Second contract is where we started, and I concede a London franchise might be at a disadvantage, but I certainly don't think they'd be bereft of takers.
 

Ranger Tom

All Pro
Might want to have a look at Bettfred Super League (rugby) next season to see how this could work. They have twelve teams, eleven based in Europe plus Toronto Wolfpack. (For some reason the rugby teams don't have "the" in their names.) Wolfpack will enter the top league next year, and then we'll see how having one team on the other side of the ocean might work in the NFL.
 
Last edited:

Mollywhopper

Facilitator
Staff member
In what ways would you describe that as a like for like comparison to kids growing up in Newport News, Rock Hill, Miami, etc being asked to move to London?

How many top-tier NBA free agents seek out Toronto or Vancou... oh, nevermind that.
 

Hookem Horns

Texans Talk Bartender
Staff member
The Chargers owner is saying that the story is 100% false. I personally think that having a team in London would be ridiculous and agree with Mollywhopper on a lot of points. The traveling would be a big issue. The closest team would be 5 or 6 hours away. Any team not in the Northeast would be much further. I don’t know how they would work out the taxes either. They would have to cut some special deal between both governments to be competitive with other teams. Taxes in England aren’t low and as it stands now I think they would still have to pay Federal taxes.

As a fan I hate the idea. It would be just as ridiculous as having an EPL team in the US. I think what will happen is they will expand to 17 games and force every team to play in London at some point. They will probably start having 16 games there a year out of greed.

Every year I keep feeling like I’m getting closer to just being an NHL fan. The NFL just keeps dishing out the reasons and this would be another one. Right now it’s the horrible officiating, which I hope is just bad and not being done on purpose for fixing games.
 

ROO

Tweak the offense already!
I wonder if a "London" team could/would be so in name only. Since half the team's games would be in the United States, couldn't the team have its practice facilities on the east coast of the U.S., and fly to the "home" London games just like the visitors are doing? The players could have their "permanent" homes in the U.S.? This would negate many of the "home field" advantages, but I guess it could be done?

Maybe stack the London home games on back to back weekends to cut down on travel. The London team could have dorm facilities for the players when they stay in London between games. It could work.

Edit: Kind of like the guys that work the offshore oil rigs....
 
Last edited:

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
The disadvantage of every away game for a London-based team is monumental.

Aren't most (if not all) teams that play London games given a bye-week after the game? There's a reason for this, and any team based in London will always struggle with the basic time differences.

I would assume they might schedule a London team to have 5-6 away games in a row to accommodate the time lag and its inherent effects on the body?

This is probably just a trial balloon story, and they can deny it's validity if the public reaction is too negative.

But my get feeling is that it's just a matter of time. Greed is the siren song of NFL owners. This is probably not if, but just a matter of when.
 

IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Europe is the number two global economy so the obvious strategic wisdom of locating an NFL team in it largest and most affluent
city shouts to the high heavens.
 

paycheck71

Hall of Fame
Europe is the number two global economy so the obvious strategic wisdom of locating an NFL team in it largest and most affluent
city shouts to the high heavens.
Not sure what you're ranking Europe as an economy against, but the combined EU GDP is the largest in the world when compared to other countries. Not sure about continents.
 

IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Not sure what you're ranking Europe as an economy against, but the combined EU GDP is the largest in the world when compared to other countries. Not sure about continents.
Well the European Union, an economic unit composed of some 28 nation-states, is unique among continents so there's really no comparison.
 

edo783

Hall of Fame
The guys would need to get used to eating Indian food, Bangers and mash along with fish and chips. Get by that and met lag and they will be ok. Easier said than done!!
 

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
I wonder if a "London" team could/would be so in name only. Since half the team's games would be in the United States, couldn't the team have its practice facilities on the east coast of the U.S., and fly to the "home" London games just like the visitors are doing? The players could have their "permanent" homes in the U.S.? This would negate many of the "home field" advantages, but I guess it could be done?

Maybe stack the London home games on back to back weekends to cut down on travel. The London team could have dorm facilities for the players when they stay in London between games. It could work.

Edit: Kind of like the guys that work the offshore oil rigs....
This makes sense in a way... taxes would still be an issue
 
  • Like
Reactions: ROO

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
I think the NFL should keep it the way it's doing it right now b/c no team would be interested in relocating to Europe. The logistics would be incredibly expensive, not to mention there'd be a ton of cost' associated with the move and no guarantee fans would take to supporting a team.

If the NFL wanted to do something in Europe officially......create an Elite Developmental League in Europe. Not a league of cast-offs or has-beens but a league with young talent that wants to dedicate their time playing football in the hopes of making the NFL.

Consider this as the equivalent of the NFL establishing a AAA for top HS and college players....only there'd be no affiliates. Set a minimum age limit of 21 years old before players can enter or re-enter the NFL Draft. Rules, field, footballs would be to current NFL regulations and standards.....absolutely zero difference.

This not only creates fans but as those players are drafted into the NFL, those fans will follow them into the NFL. They'd also have a better understanding of the NFL game and its strategies. It's time for the NFL to do this the right way. I could see a lot of top tier HS athletes and college (Lower Division) athletes benefitting from a league like this.
 
Last edited:

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Re NFLPA: Where else would you turn to get a collective view from the players?

Re culture: That would indeed be an issue for some players, and they might be put off by making that move, just like some don't want to go to NY, Green Bay or wherever. You may lose some players, but I still don't see how it prevents it happening.

You might see an increase in player pool over time as some of Europe's best young athletes decide to give it a go.

I did a quick follow-up of the nflpa... the only thing I can find is a few years old, and while it discusses the obvious hurdles, it certainly doesn't rule it out.


“There are a lot of unresolved issues,” warned Atallah. “There are challenges with the time difference, facilities, medical staff and other things related to the changes to players’ working environment that would need to be agreed.
“A permanent team in London would require collective bargaining between the league and the players’ union and the NFL have not got to the point where they have said we want to raise it.”

Speaking before ’s game at Wembley between the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders, Atallah added: “Most players enjoy the experience of going over to London and from our perspective a team based in the UK could be viable – but only if the working conditions and health and safety aspects are satisfactory.
You want a team over there, I get it.

Not one fan in America wants a team over there.

The logistics are a nightmare and there will eventually be a team over there because God'ell and the owners dont give 2 bleeps what the fans want. They're all about the $$$$.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I don't care one way or the other, I'm simply arguing that it's not impossible. Difficult, but not insurmountable.



Is this a deliberate lie, or just plain ignorance?
Why would Americans want a football team in London? You're obviously out of touch with the avg American football fan.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I've spoken with American fans who like the idea of a team over there.
Tell me more about these fans you've talked too.

Nobody in our tailgate party at the Texans games think it's a good idea. None of my non season ticketholder NFL fans think it's a good idea.
 
Top