Big Ben
Parliament
Buckingham Palace
Pippa Middleton
All are valid reasons to go visit jolly old London.
Watching the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is not.
These two teams are playing one of the most critical games of midseason this weekend. Its likely this game could eliminate one of these teams from real contention for a wild card spot in the playoffs.
So why play in London?
G - R - E -E - D
Despite the overwhelming popularity of the NFL, the league wants more.
The league wants more British pounds and Euros flowing into the coffer with this dog and pony show. It wants to sell more and more merchandise overseas.
The Super Bowl ratings have grown exponentially in London, and the NFL wants more and more tv revenue money. This is critical to teams like the Bears who haven't even come close to spending up to the ceiling of the salary cap this year. Just more profit!
And when its done whoring itself out in London, it will care for the two teams who had to go over there about as much as a john cares for a Soho prostitute.
Think about this - Two teams and their staffs have to ship everything to London. Not only do they have to leave their normal routine, they then have to adjust to the time difference and jet lag.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have to give up a home game to play in London. The NFL offsets some of the lost revenue and for Tampa's owner its also offset because he is one of the owners of Manchester United.
I read today that this is just the beginning, that the league is looking to expand to more games during the regular season in London.
Can't wait for the next frontier like Australia or Buenos Aries for kickoffs over there.
So grab your tea and crumpets and wait for the Pet Shop Boys to belt out "Are you Ready for some football".
Should be quite a scrum!
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