UK finance minister pledges gov. support for NFL team in London

British finance minister George Osborne pledged that the United Kingdom government would support a London-based NFL team, according to Reuters. 

Osborne said he's met with NFL officials to let them know the government is on board. 

"This is primarily a decision for the owners of the clubs and the NFL organization but I've said to the NFL that anything the government can do to make this happen we will do, because I think it would be a huge boost to London," said Osborne. 

• MMQB: Here's a better solution than a team in London

Osborne called a potential team relocation a "serious prospect," but he said it will happen over the next few years rather than overnight.  

The NFL has been playing games regularly at Wembley Stadium in London since 2007. From 2007-2012, just one game was played in London each year, but last season the NFL hosted two games at Wembley. This year, three games will be played in London.

On Sunday, the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons will play at Wembley. The Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders played there last month, and the Dallas Cowboys meet the Jacksonville Jaguars in London later this season.

Talk about an NFL team relocating to London has picked up steam of late, and on Tuesday Lions running back Reggie Bush said he thinks it's "only a matter of time" before London has an NFL team and hosts a Super Bowl.

• MMQB: Why London? And Can It Work?

Last week, league owners reportedly voted to require teams that host the Super Bowl give up one home game at some point over the following five seasons to play in London. 

- Molly Geary