NFL UK says there could be team based in London permanently before end of decade

Aug 9, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; NFL shield logo on the 50 yard line before the game of the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Both the NFL and NBA seem intent on putting a franchise (or in the NBA’s case, a handful) across the pond in London.

Each league has played games in London and have seriously discussed opening up shop, though, travel issues have always been a concern.

Still, according to NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood, there is a possibility that the NFL will have a team permanently in London by the end of the decade:

"NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood also revealed he was in negotiations over staging three regular-season matches in London in 2014, with this year two being held in the capital during a single campaign for the first time.On Sunday Wembley hosts the first of them when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Minnesota Vikings, before the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the San Francisco 49ers there on Oct 27.The spectacular success of the NFL’s decision to allow matches to be played in London has led to calls for the city to host its own permanent franchise and Kirkwood told Telegraph Sport: “It’s possible that it could be done before the end of the decade.”"

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