Sports Briefing | Football: Goodell: Some NFL Teams Could Be London Regulars

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday the league is looking into whether such a scenario would "advance our cause here by growing the fan base quicker." He is talking to several teams about becoming regulars in the British capital, a development he thinks would be "very powerful and lead us to what we ultimately would like to do — have a franchise here in London."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making their second trip in three years to Wembley to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday. It is the fifth regular-season game held in London since 2007.

The league decided this month to keep playing in London through at least 2016, with an aim to play at least two games a year.

Goodell said multiple games in Britain could happen as early as next year, and he hopes more teams will agree to make regular trips.

"We want as many teams to come over. We want to see the more popular teams come over," Goodell said at a question-and-answer session with international fans. "Should we focus on just a couple of teams as consistently coming back here to build a fan base around those teams? The Bucs are coming back now for a second time in a five-year period of time. And the idea is, will that allow them to build a fan base quicker?"

Goodell praised the Glazer family, which owns both the Bucs and Premier League team Manchester United, for taking a leading role in promoting the game overseas. He said the Bucs are one of several teams the league has been in discussions with over more London visits.

"Obviously, the Glazer family has an interest over here with Man U," Goodell said. "And I think they want to see the Bucs become a global franchise. And I think that's a great thing for Tampa. I think it's a great thing for the NFL."

The league's ambitions haven't been dampened by a decrease in ticket sales this year. Sunday's game is the first of the five regular-season games at Wembley that is not expected to be a sellout. Organizers say an estimated 75,000 tickets have been sold, with the stadium's capacity about 82,000.

Goodell echoed organizers' claims that the lower sales were caused by the lockout, which meant tickets didn't go on sale until September — several months later than usual.

"We started late," Goodell said. "But we're thrilled with our ticket sales. We obviously love to sell as many as we have, and we're still selling."

He said the NFL has no plans to play in other European countries in the near future, looking to establish as big a presence as possible in Britain first.

"We want to bring our game to continental Europe. The issue is, we want to make a success out of it in the U.K.," he said. "We think this (London) has got all of the basics that we need to be successful. It's got an advanced fan base, a strong media market, a great stadium. We have a long history here. So all those things contribute, let's make it work. And if we can be successful here, then we can take that model, potentially, to continental Europe."

Goodell was joined by Jerome Bettis, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back who is one of several NFL stars who have flown to London to promote the game. "The Bus" was given a warm reception by a knowledgeable group of about 100 fans, but said he's had to tweak his nickname this week to fit in.

"I'm a double-decker now," he said.

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Bucs RB Blount Ruled Out of Bears Game in London

Republicans talk tough on immigration, and a record number of illegal immigrants were deported under President Obama.

Her courage opened the way for meaningful progress against sex discrimination in the workplace.

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Sleepy Bears Arrive in London for Bucs Game

He'll have two days to get over that jet lag before the Chicago Bears run onto the field at Wembley on Sunday to play a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has spent the whole week in London to get used to the time difference.

According to Cutler and the rest of the Bears, that won't be a problem.

"I feel all right. I think the guys are little bit tired," the quarterback said. "I'm sure everyone is going to get a good night's rest and we'll be ready to roll."

This is the fifth year in a row the NFL stages a regular-season game at Wembley, and the second time the Bucs have come over. In 2009, Tampa Bay also arrived on the Friday before the game and then looked sluggish when it was routed by the New England Patriots — one of the reasons Bucs coach Raheem Morris changed the team's setup this time.

Bears coach Lovie Smith, however, said he was confident his team would not be at a disadvantage.

"I felt like it was important for us to have a regular work week in Chicago," Smith said. "There's 48 hours before we play, so we have plenty of time. We'll be rested and ready to go. The best football team will win the game."

The shorter time spent in London also means there's less time taking in the local sights and culture, although that's not what the team came over for anyway, Smith said.

"It's a business trip. We sight-see when we're vacationing in the summer," he said. "We will have a little bit of time tomorrow, but that's not our purpose."

There was still time for some fun and games before their first practice Friday.

The Bears are practicing at The Oval, one of England's most famous cricket grounds located in south London. That meant some of the players got some help with their batting and bowling techniques from local cricketers — with mixed success.

Cutler looked quite handy with the bat, hitting what would have counted as a couple of boundaries (similar to runs) off deliveries (or pitches) from Brian Urlacher.

However, the wayward bowling of linebacker Lance Briggs had some of the assembled photographers ducking for cover, bringing to mind one of the locals' popular sayings: "It's just not cricket."

Briggs, however, seemed less affected by the jet lag than many of the Bears. He was still full of energy after his cricket display, joking with teammates and capturing his new surroundings on his video camera — including filming the TV reporters filming him when giving interviews.

"I feel great. I was a little bit tired when I got off the plane," Briggs said. "But I had a cup of joe, and I'm ready to go."

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Crabtree’s London trip: cool cars, big malls

Published: November 8th, 2010 | | Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Michael Crabtree, Monster Park, Westfield London Shopping Center

“The cars in London, they were crazy,” San Francisco 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree explained when I asked him about his recent trip to London last week.

Crabtree was there for the NFL’s International Series game vs. the Denver Broncos, a game San Francisco won, 24-16. Grabbing a touchdown pass in Wembley Stadium wasn’t too much different from catching one in Candlestick Park. So what was different about playing the game across the pond? Not too much about the game, according to Crabtree. It was more about taking in a great city like London.

What did Crabtree like best in London?

“The [Mercedes-]Benzes,” he said, adding he couldn’t believe how diverse the cars were in London. Crabtree also said the team did not see many 49ers fans walking around London.

“The people there were so warm and friendly,” Crabtree commented, even if they had no idea who he or the rest of his teammates were.

What also struck Crabtree about London was the grandiosity of a mall the team visited. “It was huge!” he exclaimed, referring to the Westfield London Shopping Center. There was even a gym right in the middle of the mall.

Crabtree has had a touchdown in three of the last four games. Maybe after a few more touchdown catches, he can buy himself one of those London “Benzes” for Christmas.

– Tiffany Shine

Posted in: Sidelines  

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