Ahead of today's Jets-Dolphins game, NFL U.K. Managing Dir Alistair Kirkwood said that while the sport "has 'great momentum,' he does not expect a London team this decade." He added, "We are in a good place but as we become bigger and more ambitious we probably also need to be more cautious and thoughtful too. ... The early kick-offs make it a national game in the States, so the visibility of London and the UK is higher. It also opens up other markets, because it is more timezone friendly in Asia than other games that kick off at normal times" (GUARDIAN, 10/4).
NFL Exec VP/International Mark Waller said of getting a franchise in London by '22, "It's a realistic time frame." He added, "In the next few weeks, we'll decide on adding an extra game, going somewhere else, or both. We feel good about the U.K., but the idea of moving forward with other countries is attractive, too" (NFL.com, 10/2). NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said, "They had considered a couple different places to play games besides London. They considered Germany, but I'm told expect a game in Mexico, in Mexico City, not just in the future but in 2016" (“NFL GameDay First,” NFL Network, 10/4).
