NFL, Tottenham Hotspur agree to 10-year stadium partnership
The National Football League and English Premier League squad Tottenham Hotspur agreed to a 10-year partnership that will allow the NFL to play a minimum of two games each year at the team’s new stadium, Tottenham and the NFL announced Wednesday.
Tottenham’s new 61,000-seat stadium in London is set to be completed in time for the 2018-19 EPL season, and will feature a retractable grass field for soccer with an artificial surface below that will be used for NFL games.
Tottenham said the new field allows for greater flexibility when it comes to scheduling games and added that NFL games may take place at different venues in England during the duration of the 10-year agreement.
“With growing enthusiasm for the NFL in the United Kingdom, we are committed to hosting NFL games in world-class venues and are excited to partner with Tottenham Hotspur to play games at their future stadium," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We share a vision and commitment to creating the best experience for our teams, fans and the local community."
The Guardianreported in April that Tottenham was considering sharing its stadium with a future London NFL franchise.
2015 NFL off-season report cards
The NFL recently said it is looking to play international games and is looking at potential sites in Germany, Mexico and Brazil.
The league's international series started in 2007, and two teams have played at least one regular season game at Wembley Stadium in London ever since.
This season there will be three international games: the Miami Dolphins taking on the New York Jets on Oct. 4, the Buffalo Bills playing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 25 and a Nov. 1 contest between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.
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"We have an opportunity now to deliver one of the most unique sports, leisure and entertainment venues in the world, bringing together the EPL and NFL for the first time,” said the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, Daniel Levy. “The socio-economic benefits this will bring to the area will be immense and demonstrates our commitment to the regeneration of this priority borough in London."
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