Thursday 30 October 2014 09:28, UK
An NFL franchise in London could generate around £102m a year for Britain, according to a study by accountancy firm Deloitte.
The report, commissioned by the NFL and a London marketing agency, does cast doubt on the possibility of a Super Bowl in the English capital, warning of a negative reaction from the USA.
London first hosted regular-season NFL matches in 2007, with last Sunday's contest between the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions the 10th NFL game to be staged in London.
Wembley will host three matches this seasion and a further three in 2015.
Chancellor George Osborne last week pledged Government support for the creation of a Wembley-based franchise following discussions with the NFL's vice president international Mike Waller.
The feasibility study forecasts the city enjoying an annual economic boost of £102m pounds if it was to host eight home games, with fan spending the biggest driving factor.
Deloitte is assuming players and staff would play two games on four visits each season, rather than being based permanently in London.
While the 30-page report is largely positive about the prospect of increased NFL matches in England, reservations remain about Wembley hosting the Super Bowl, with potential kick-off times the main cause for concern.
Starting at 4 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) would be 9 pm in London, creating potential problems leaving Wembley on public transport on a Sunday.
A 6pm kick-off in London though, "may be unlikely to attract the desired television audience in the U.S.," where it would be 10 am on the West Coast, the report concluded.
"The reaction from the NFL's core US market could focus on the negative implications of moving a definitively 'American' event overseas for reasons that may be perceived as solely financial or commercial," the Deloitte report says.
If the NFL instead opted for simply expanding the International Series to four games in London, the city would still enjoy an annual financial boost of £58m, Deloitte predicts.
The firm estimated the two games in 2013 directly generated £32m for London, with league spending accounting for a quarter of that.
Renting and securing Wembley came in at £2.1m for the two matches.
The report was launched by Sajid Javid, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport.
