Sunday's Panthers-Buccaneers game was one of two NFL sellouts in London this seasongetty images
The NFL plans to have one team play "back-to-back games in London as part of its exploration into a franchise being based in the capital," according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. The league "wants to test the water" with one team playing successive games in the city. NFL Exec VP and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer Chris Halpin said, "As part of our long-term effort, that is something we want to see to test out a team being in London for two games over a week. Whether that is in 2020 or another year we are not sure yet. That is a key element of exploration of a franchise in London." Ziegler notes the NFL has been "delighted by the experience" recently of the Bears-Raiders and Panthers-Buccaneers games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which "had sell-out crowds over two weekends." London Mayor Sadiq Khan also "held talks" with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week about "maintaining the number" of NFL games in the city with the "eventual goal of a franchise." Halpin would "not comment on whether a London franchise would be part of the next collective bargaining agreement talks" (LONDON TIMES, 10/16).
