The NFL could soon be doubling the number of games it plays in London.
Last year, only two games were played as part of the NFL’s International Series – the Vikings defeated the Steelers and the Patriots walloped the Rams.
The 2014 International Series includes three games (Raiders-Dolphins, Falcons-Lions and Cowboys-Jaguars), and there could be as many as four games played in London in 2015, NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported Monday.
NFL owners are expected to discuss the potential of adding a fourth game during this week’s annual owners meetings in Orlando, Florida. A formal vote on the issue won’t be held, but the NFL has been very pleased with the result of the eight games that have been played at Wembley Stadium since 2007.
ESPN’s Ben Goessling says he wouldn’t bet against the Vikings going back to London in 2015.
By then, the Vikings will be in their second season at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium, and whatever adjustment period comes along with moving into a college stadium for two seasons will presumably be over. When the Vikings moved their game with the Pittsburgh Steelers to London, playing there last Sept. 29, the NFL reimbursed the team for the revenue of an average home game at the Metrodome. The team will presumably see a dip in revenues in 2014 and 2015, thanks to the stadium’s smaller capacity and a rent agreement that requires the Vikings to pay the university $250,000 in rent and $50,000 in concession and advertising revenue for every home game. Especially if the NFL were to pay the Vikings what they made at the Metrodome, rather than what they’ll be making at TCF Bank Stadium, it would stand to reason the Vikings would consider a return trip to London.
In related news, the Vikings didn’t receive the previous yea any compensatory picks for the upcoming NFL Draft. More on that here.
