London Wants the Super Bowl

Posted May 03, 2009 10:45AM By Dan Graziano (RSS feed)

The NFL is holding a regular-season game in London this year for the third time. But England's capital city has its sights set on a much bigger event. According to a report in The Guardian, London has launched a bid to host the Super Bowl at some time in the next eight years.

The next three Super Bowl sites are set, with Miami scheduled to host the game in 2010, Arlington, Tex. in 2011 and Indianapolis in 2012. While I'm sure the league has good ($$$$) reasons for those latter two sites, at first glance they make it look as if the NFL is running out of U.S. cities in which to hold the game. In that case, let's go to London!

"We are looking at 2014, 2015 or 2017," David Hornby, the commercial director for Visit London was quoted as saying.

Talks have been ongoing with the NFL, who have identified London as the outstanding candidate city to host the event outside of the United States.

The only thing wrong with this idea is weather. Northern Super Bowls (the two in Detroit and one in Minneapolis) have been held in domed stadia, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis has a retractable roof. London's Wembley Stadium, which would presumably host a London Super Bowl, has a roof that doesn't fully enclose the place, though every seat is under cover. So fans would be fine, but maybe a little cold.

The average February high temperature in London is 44 degrees Farenheit (7 Celsius). The average low is 33 (1).

Latest NFL Images

SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson #77 of the San Diego Chargers participates in a drill during minicamp at the Chargers training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashaad Jackson

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SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Guard Louis Vasquez #65 of the San Diego Chargers prepares to block during minicamp at the Chargers training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Louis Vasquez

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SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers runs upfield during a practice drill at minicamp at the Chargers training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LaDainian Tomlinson

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SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Linebacker Larry English #52 of the San Diego Chargers runs upfield in pursuit during minicamp practice at the team's training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry English

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - MAY 03: First round draft pick linebacker Robert Ayers #56 participates in Denver Broncos Minicamp at the Broncos training facility on May 3, 2009 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Robert Ayers

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SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Wide receiver Legedu Naanee #11 of the San Diego Chargers runs upfield as defensive end Jaques Cesaire #74 chases in pursuit during minicamp at the Chargers training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Legedu Naanee;Jaques Cesaire

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SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Wide receiver Legedu Naanee #11 of the San Diego Chargers catches a pass during minicamp at the Chargers training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Legedu Naanee

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SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Running back Gartrell Johnson #33 of the San Diego Chargers runs away from linebacker Larry English #52 during a practice drill in minicamp at the Chargers training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gartrell Johnson;Larry English

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SAN DIEGO - MAY 03: Running back Gartrell Johnson #33 of the San Diego Chargers runs upfield during a practice drill in Chargers minicamp at the team's training facility on May 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Gartrell Johnson

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

5-03-2009 @ 11:40AM

Wesley Root said...

It's not the "World Bowl", it's the SUPER BOWL!!! AMERICAN FOOTBALL!!! If there were teams in England that played for it, then it might be okay, but if it's because the league needs more money because it pays players too much, then NO. Maybe London would like to make a trade and have Wimbledon held in the U.S.? I didn't think so...

5-03-2009 @ 12:04PM

Craigo said...

The only thing wrong is the weather? London is, what, five hours ahead of the East Coast. The game kicks off around midnight there.

5-03-2009 @ 12:14PM

BIGKENBRWN4 said...

WHAT ABOUT ALL THE JOBS LOST CITY AND COMMUNITY REVENUES LOST TO EUROPE THIS IS BULL SHIT NEXT WILL BE A BAIL OUT OF THE NFL WE WANT NEW COMMISSIONER IF THIS GAME IS PLAYED IN LONDON

5-03-2009 @ 12:29PM

Steel Wheel said...

At the time I voted there were actually 47 people that voted for it to be in London. If you are from the US and you voted for it to be in London I want to hear your logic for it to be in London. Seriously, don't hide tell us why you think it would make any sense at all to put our most profitable sports product – other than NASCAR – in another country. What benefit other than publicity would it offer the US? And even the publicity wouldn't help because the NFL is already a known product worldwide and it still DID NOT sell in Europe. So please, enlighten us with this brilliance.

5-03-2009 @ 12:58PM

Thomas J Martin said...

When are they moving the British Open to the United States?

5-03-2009 @ 1:17PM

Moseley3 said...

They want the Super Bowl, I say we give 'em the Pro Bowl.I remember watching NFLE games & the fields were in horrible shape.I'd rather see the S.B. played in Canada, At least I know they appreciate & support football.Football to europeans is Soccer

5-03-2009 @ 1:20PM

tom fourtyniner said...

the british won't bring their big soccer games to the US, why should we allow them to have the Super Bowl. Makes no sense

5-03-2009 @ 1:29PM

Geezer said...

Actually, I think the Super Bowl would be great in London for three reasons:

1.) It would further expose the NFL to an international audience, which they need.

2.) England loves the Patriots, and should they make it to the SB, Wembley would sell out immediately.

3.) London would be the ultimate neutral site because it isn't anywhere near either of the teams playing in the SB.

5-03-2009 @ 3:08PM

horatiowrd said...

1) Super Bowl is already Internationally televised and watched.

2) Super Bowl sells out immediately regardless who is playing already.

3) So is the New Orleans Superdome, Ford Field, Rose Bowl, and any stadium in Flordia. Heck, if its Chargers v. Giants, Giants have a CLEAR advantage.

5-04-2009 @ 4:12PM

The SB is internationally-televised, but it's not internationally popular. An out-of-country SB would be a great way to start fixing that.

5-03-2009 @ 1:40PM

jhnriley4 said...

I'm a Philadelphia Eagles fan. I think ALL N.F.L City's Should Have a Super Bowl no matter What the weather is. Before thinking about London.Remember The fan's here support the N.F.L and there are city's that will never have a Super Bowl because of Snow or How cold it is. Is this Fair to us. No!!!

5-03-2009 @ 1:41PM

Stoney said...

If they get it, I hope the Eagles and the Raiders are in it so their fans and the Brit's Houllagans can kill each other. London doesn't know what it would be in for. They thought the Nazi's were nutz. Wait till they get a load of those fruit cakes. Lock your doors and keep the lasses inside.

5-03-2009 @ 1:42PM

jim said...

the super bowl is a tv game decided ahead of time who wins, refs blow calls so the right team wins and ratings are good. the game has no meaning no one watches it for football they watch the commercials and drink till they fall down, tv decides the game and tv wants it to be in london so it will be in london. they dont give a damn about the fans

5-03-2009 @ 1:51PM

jeffrey said...

what are u kidding me what else can we out source if football goes there i done supporting it cancel my sport package with directv and sell my tickets

5-03-2009 @ 1:52PM

MY NIGGER said...

I WOULD SAY YES TO THIS, ONLY IF YOU,LL PLAY ALL 16 GAMES THERE TOO.

London would suck. There are no good reasons to have the game outside of the U.S. If there is a neutral site it should be in Hawaii or somewhere in the mid-south, in a city with no football team. Screw the other countries. They don't want our version of football. The World League died. They wouldn't go to the games. They would have 35,000 at the game. All they want is our money and our soldiers when they are getting their asses kicked. Why should we pander up to their stuck up asses. You can't trust them. They keep trying to give us back Madonna. What's up with that?

5-03-2009 @ 1:53PM

go live in london GEEZER

5-04-2009 @ 4:14PM

You're an idiot. Was that meant to be an insult?

London is a great city, and I wouldn't mind living there, but it's a bit too expensive.

5-03-2009 @ 2:08PM

b62850 said...

Why would anyone who are season tickets support a game outside of the U S? Teams look forward for support from their own season ticket holders. This is so wrong. No one in their right mind would support this.

5-03-2009 @ 2:11PM

Bob said...

What a bunch of horseshit!! Nothing to write about today? Writers block?
NFL is starting to kill the golden goose if they even entertain this. NFL Network was bad enough...I won't pay to watch it if it's not on Network TV or, in London or anywhere overseas. Morons....