American football’s NFL should have a London franchise, a Liberal Democrat frontbencher has said.
Max Wilkinson, the party’s culture, media and sport spokesman, told MPs a team could expand on the “success” of games at the Tottenham Hotspur and Wembley stadiums.
Jacksonville Jaguars face Chicago Bears in Tottenham on Sunday, a week after Minnesota Vikings beat New York Jets 23-17.
Mr Wilkinson, who was once a water boy for the former London Monarchs NFL (National Football League) side, said: “For both sporting and economic reasons, is it not now also time for London to have its own NFL franchise?
“Expanding on the success of the London series of games at Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur stadium could bring many hundreds of millions of pounds to our economy every year, and bring the joy of NFL to many more fans in this country too.”
The Cheltenham MP had previously urged sport minister Stephanie Peacock and the Government to extend “free-to-air coverage of international cricket, rugby, golf and tennis, and even extending protection to some live Premier League football coverage, too”.
He added: “While I enjoyed many days at The Dell (Southampton FC) watching Matt Le Tissier and others, the majority of my consumption of sports was on free-to-air television. Today, youngsters simply do not have the same opportunity to be inspired.”
Speaking outside the chamber, Mr Wilkinson said: “Our country has some incredibly successful homegrown American football players that have made it to the NFL, so the talent is definitely here and it would be a remarkable opportunity for not only London, but cities across the UK to share in the success.”
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, said: “London is the sporting capital of the world and it’s been fantastic to host NFL regular season games over the past 20 years.
“Expanding on this success and securing a franchise for London has always been the ultimate aim. This huge step would bring a boost to London’s economy and sporting legacy, benefiting London and Londoners.”
Mr Khan has previously said the NFL brought more than £300 million into London’s economy every year, in a statement published by the league.
During his 2024 London election campaign, he vowed to “look to bring WrestleMania, Superbowl and the NBA to London, and put together another bid for the 2040 Olympics”.
