EPL Club Tottenham Hotspur Looks To Share New Stadium With London-Based NFL Team

EPL club Tottenham Hotspur hopes to share their new stadium with a London-based NFL franchise "by using a retractable pitch that would allow grass and artificial turf to be alternated," according to Matt Dickinson of the LONDON TIMES. Tottenham is "in talks with the NFL about hosting" the league's first team based outside of the U.S., and they "believe the use of a sliding grass pitch would avoid the damage to turf so evident" after football games at Wembley Stadium. The retractable pitch "would be a first for an English stadium." Among the "other design details to maximise their options are extra-large changing rooms that could accommodate an NFL squad." Plans produced by Populous "include a locker room with capacity for the 70 players and coaches" of an NFL team. Tottenham hopes "to be in their new home, of at least 61,000-capacity, at White Hart Lane in time" for the '18-19 EPL season. The English Football Association "has also held negotiations with the NFL about hosting a team at Wembley" (LONDON TIMES, 4/24).