11/17/24
January 20, 2012
Rams Will Play in London Next 3 Years: The St. Louis Rams will play one regular-season home game in London for each of the next three years, beginning with a game against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium in October. Rams owner Stanley Kroenke has British sports ties as majority shareholder in the Premiership side Arsenal. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been pushing for a team to play annually in London, saying it will "lead us to what we ultimately would like to do -- have a franchise here in London." Eleven million people watched NFL football in England last season, a 32 percent increase in the past two years.
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posted by Atheist at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2012
Yeah, I am not sure about this. I would have preferred to see them revive NFL Europe.
And I hope that the schedule makers do their best to place the London game the week before a participating team's bye week.
posted by scully at 12:39 PM on January 20, 2012
No NFL team for London unless the U.S. gets a Premiership team, preferably in Jacksonville.
posted by rcade at 12:43 PM on January 20, 2012
This sucks if you're a Rams season ticket holder.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 01:55 PM on January 20, 2012
Yep, that's what I'd do. Discover that I had a whole nation of folks developing a growing interest in my league with nothing but a bright future for the sport to look forward to in that market...
...and send 'em the Rams 3 years in a row.
It'd be like Maxim doing three consecutive cover stories on Dame Edna.
posted by beaverboard at 02:07 PM on January 20, 2012
It'd be like Maxim doing three consecutive cover stories on Dame Edna.
In the NFL's defense, Dame Edna doesn't really have much potential to get hotter. The Rams, on the other hand, could (possibly) get much better over a three year span.
But I agree with YYM. Are the Rams going to reduce season ticket prices by 12.5% to account for the 7-home game schedule?
posted by tahoemoj at 02:59 PM on January 20, 2012
Ya think this has anything to do with Stan Kroenke's majority stock ownership in Arsenal?
NE Patriots will play Rams in England next season. Robert Kraft reportedly loves the idea of playing in England, but he won't give up a home game to do so.
posted by Howard_T at 04:39 PM on January 20, 2012
Are the Rams going to reduce season ticket prices by 12.5% to account for the 7-home game schedule?
From the horse's mouth: "Demoff said season ticketholders will not be charged for the London games, but the formula on how to do that has yet to be determined."
Which isn't what theemail sent to season ticket holders said: "All season ticket holders will have a chance to purchase tickets to the game at Wembley Stadium, and we are making plans to reward lucky season ticket holders with free trips to the game and opportunities to fly with the team as part of a lottery system. More details are forthcoming as plans are finalized."
Which is nice.
posted by etagloh at 11:16 PM on January 21, 2012
Are the Rams going to reduce season ticket prices by 12.5% to account for the 7-home game schedule?
From the horse's mouth: "Demoff said season ticketholders will not be charged for the London games, but the formula on how to do that has yet to be determined."
Which isn't what the email sent to season ticket holders said: "All season ticket holders will have a chance to purchase tickets to the game at Wembley Stadium, and we are making plans to reward lucky season ticket holders with free trips to the game and opportunities to fly with the team as part of a lottery system. More details are forthcoming as plans are finalized."
Which is nice.
posted by etagloh at 11:16 PM on January 21, 2012
Maybe since the games are a week apart it doesn't matter, but wouldn't the travel for the team in London be unfair? Also, how about the teams in London's division that have to travel their twice?
Really odd.
posted by DudeDykstra at 12:14 AM on January 25, 2012
Why would teams in their division travel there twice?
posted by rcade at 08:29 AM on January 25, 2012
So London essentially has an NFL team but Los Angeles doesn't?