The Super Bowl could be played in London within a decade, says Torry Holt
Wednesday 11 January 2017 10:52, UK
Former NFL wide receiver Torry Holt believes the Super Bowl could be staged in London within the next 10 years.
Holt, a key part of the St Louis Rams' 'Greatest Show on Turf' team who set offensive records between 1999 and 2001, believes showpiece games such as the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl would be a more natural expansion of the NFL's international project than the creation of a London franchise.
The 39-year-old is in London to promote the league ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday at 10pm, as well as the relocated Los Angeles Rams' Twickenham date with the New York Giants in October.
A Super Bowl could be played here, I think, because of how the fan-base is just growing so rapidly.
The success of the annual London games has led to growing talk of a permanent UK-based team but Holt told Press Association Sport: "I don't foresee a team here in London, I think the International Series works well.
"I think about the travel, going back from London to the States, I think that would be taxing on the team in London and it would be even more taxing on the teams in the States.
"Potentially a Pro Bowl could be played here, and potentially a Super Bowl could be played here, I think, because of how the fan-base is just growing so rapidly."
Taking America's highest-profile sporting event beyond US shores would be a seismic move but such is Holt's enthusiasm, he is in no mood to wait.
He added: "If I had a say, I would say probably within the next 10 years, maybe."
"For years, we played the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, last year they played in Arizona so I'm sure the league will throw (the idea) around. I don't know whether they'll say 'yes' on it - it may have already come up.
"I think this would be an outstanding place to potentially host a Pro Bowl.
"If you look at the International Series, you guys sell out the stadiums immediately, I think it would be the same results for the Pro Bowl too."
Tell us what you think. Will there ever be a Super Bowl in London? Or should there be an NFL team in London? Have your say in the comments section below..;
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