With all due respect to the NFL's desire to "grow the game" overseas, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said the travel logistics would be too much for him to consider signing with a London-based team. Granted, Allen will be long retired by the time the league would have a team in London, if it ever does put one here. But when a multiple All-Pro defensive end says he'd say no thanks to signing with a London-based team because it would be too damaging on his life and career, it's a decent bet that he speaks for many more current and former star players of his level. I asked Allen if the NFL could place a team in London. Some reports have suggested that could happen as early as 2020. "I mean you could. I think the fan base and stuff could sustain it, but it's a lot to ask for a player," Allen said. "Just personally speaking, I probably wouldn't sign over here because of the fact that every road trip is going to be three, four, five days away from your family. And then you got to starting thinking about productivity of lives as far as now I'm going to play a west coast game and you got an 11-hour plane ride. "I think logistically it's tough, especially on the players and family members and stuff like that. Obviously, it would be fun as an experience to hang out in Europe. Why not? Especially in the U.K. But I don't know about that. You're looking at a minimum of a six-hour flight every road trip. That would be tough." Source:Star Tribune
Jared is correct. A London team is going to be at a disadvantage to the rest of the league with so much travel. And i hadn't even thought about all of the free agents that would choose not to play there. It would be very hard for a London team to succeed
For it to make sense, there'd have to be a division in Europe. Far too much flying for 1 team. 8 road games spread throughout the US...
Well, during one of our conversations here at gif About the logistics, i think it may have been ward that suggested the league may set up their schedule so they play 4 straight in London and then 4 straight in the states. And the team would just keep a 2nd practice facility here in the states somewhere for their road stretches. That would definitely cut down on the travel challenges.
trying to take credit for someone else's good idea, eh? you are such a craphead butthole. no, seriously, if it was you, it is actually the only way they could do it to not totally screw the london team.
Also with extended blocks of home/road games and a US practice facility (not going home between road games), which I think we are correct in being the only feasible way of doing this, you're talking about even MORE time away from family, making it even less desirable for potential FA's. This would be a team of desperate scrubs with no other options and vastly overpaid marginal talents.
I 100% agree with Jared Allen on this topic. London MIGHT have a strong enough fan base for an NFL team but jet lag 10 times a year is a snitch.
Have a team base in the States for 10 months of the year and fix schedules so that all eight home/away games are played in a block so that the team would only spend a minimum of two/three months in the UK. That would seem the most logistical way of doing it if it was to happen. Of course, if is the keyword there.
