Brexit Has NFL’s Future Across the Pond Up in the Air
The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union in a move dubbed as “Brexit” has the NFL up in the air on their short-term future across the pond.
With three regular season games slated to be played in Europe throughout the 2017 season, the NFL is closely monitoring the situation in the United Kingdom.
Citizens across the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a shocking vote that has sent international economies spiraling, the Prime Minister to resign, and far too many unknown repercussions.
CNN broke down what this means for the everyday person, including those in the United States.
"Let’s say you don’t have any connection to Britain at all. If you’re watching the drama unfold from your couch in New York, New Delhi or Abu Dhabi, will a Brexit still affect you? A drop in UK property prices would be handy if you’re looking to invest in London’s real estate market from afar. If the value of the pound drops, it might make the cost of a vacation to Edinburgh lightly less eye-watering. But although a Brexit would primarily hurt the UK economy, it could also have consequences for global financial markets — meaning your stocks might take a hit. In other words: we simply don’t know what the divorce would look like."
In an email to ProFootballTalk, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is monitoring the situation and will decide at a later date whether or not the three games will be played on team’s home turf rather than abroad.
"“We are monitoring and have been in contact with our UK office. We head into the 2016 season in strong shape with the three UK games already nearing sell outs again — a testament to the strong and passionate fan base there — and all key media, sponsorship and licensing partnerships locked in.”"
The three games currently scheduled to play in London include the following match-ups: the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4, the New York Giants vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, and the Washington Redskins vs. the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8.
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Should the games be forced to return to the states, the Jaguars, Rams, and Bengals will each host their respective match-ups after losing a home game on their schedule in 2016.
As for the long-term effects on the NFL’s international future, much is up in the air. Trade agreements will need to be rewritten between the United Kingdom and multiple countries, which could take years to complete. The NFL made a reported $32 million in ticket revenue alone following last seasons games abroad.
Roger Goodell’s dream of having an NFL franchise based in London is also something that will be affected.The price of traveling to the UK since Brexit is expected to move down, but does that constitute moving part of your multi-billion dollar corporation over-there?
Only time will tell with this one, but the NFL is certainly concerned with the potential of losing licensing and partnerships connected with its’ international series of games.