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Cleveland Browns may be headed to London for 2017 game
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American flags and National Football League banners adorn London's Regent Street ahead of the Atlanta Falcons-Detroit Lions football game in this photo taken Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. The Browns are being considered as one of the teams to play in London in 2017, cleveland.com has learned. (AP file)
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Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
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on December 09, 2016 at 3:49 PM, updated December 09, 2016 at 6:29 PM

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns might be playing one of their games in London in 2017, league sources have told cleveland.com.

The NFL has increased its commitment to the U.K. market by scheduling four games in London next season, and the Browns could be playing in one of those games.

The NFL will announce the four matchups on Tuesday morning.

As of last year, the Browns were on the short list for a game in London in 2017 or 2018. They're either already scheduled for 2017, or will be in the running for one in 2018.

League sources said a Browns contingent observed the proceedings while the Bengals played there this season.

It's unknown yet if the Browns would be giving up a home game to make the trip.

One of the matchups in London will feature the Dolphins vs. the Saints, which was announced by the NFL in October. Another will be the Jaguars, and they might be playing the Ravens, sources told cleveland.com.

Spokesmen from the Browns and the NFL declined to comment.

"We continue to be incredibly excited by the passion and love for the NFL shown by our millions of U.K. fans," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday in a release. "London is an amazing city. We have had tremendous support from our fans, from Mayor (Saliq) Khan and other government leaders and business partners, and we are looking forward to taking the next step in the U.K. by playing four games in London next season."

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In each of the past three seasons, the NFL has played three games in London to sold-out crowds. With four games in 2017, the league will have played 21 games there since the inaugural one in 2007.

"London staging a fourth NFL game is fantastic news -- not only for the millions of sports fans who get to enjoy our iconic stadiums -- but also because it confirms our status as the go-to choice for hosting the world's biggest sporting events," said Mayor Khan.

"London is the international home of the NFL and staging the equivalent of what would be half an American football team's home games in the city is a huge step towards my ambition of bringing a franchise to the capital.

"I am really excited to welcome more NFL teams to London next year, as well as thousands of American football fans from around the globe, showing that London is open to the very best sporting events and the world's greatest athletes."

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American football in the U.K. is booming. Sunday television audiences have more than doubled, and the Super Bowl audience has increased more than 75 percent. According to internal research, the U.K. has almost four million avid fans, with a growing fan base of more than 13 million.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/12/cleveland_browns_may_be_headed.html

Looks like we'll be there next year IMO ... the only question is, will it be home or away? Given our attendance, the NFL would probably opt for it to be a home game.

Our opponents are already locked in for next year:

Home - Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Green Bay, Tennessee, Jacksonville, NY Jets
Away - Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Houston, San Diego

Any guesses who we'd play? Usually it's a non-division matchup between two non-ratings drawers ... I'd guess Cleveland vs Tennessee

I just love Jimmy Haslam and the NFL !

i think this will be cool.

my wife wants to go back and visit her family next year in Germany, and this would be a perfect excuse to rent a car and drive to London to check out the game. could be an amazing experience!!

Thanks, Brexit.

I like our chances if we are playing a team FROM the UK

We'd still lose.

Can they stay there?

If it's an away week, then no harm no foul, but if it's a home game, it's another stab at the local fans. Just like the columbus Ohio Move.

It also affects the city and all the vendors if it was a supposed to be a home game.

Selfishly I love this, being from the UK. Went to watch Jets - Dolphins last year and the experience was good but you need to have your team playing.

I will come to Cleveland, one day, money permitting, but this would be a great 2nd place. There are also quite a few Browns fans in the UK so I'm hoping we represent and do the club proud

Thats what i was thinking .. i would take no team for the next 2 or 3 years if it meant we got rid of the SCUMBAG owner we have ....

I LOVE watching NFL games played on fields that are all chewed up by the middle of Q1 and the players are slipping and falling all over the place like there playing on ice .... its GREAT ... ...

maybe the GLC will live on over the pond ... Cleveland vs Detroit

Depending on when it is maybe we could do it too, see my wife's family and hook up with you at Wembley or Twickenham Stadium.

I three will make the trip with the family, my brother lives in Switzerland.

This has a Jacksonville vs Cleveland match-up written all over it. Londoners can't catch a break on good games.

And they're definitely confirmed as an opponent next year. Hell, get the potentially crappiest game out of the way by Noon EST.

It's gonna be so crazy seeing so many Browns jerseys overseas bro.

Man I don't care how trash the game will be, it's a chance for the Browns to gain a larger fan base. So more loyalist to the dawg pound!!

Not no more Memphis ... there switching all games to 1:00 PM kick offs on the east coast ... i remember reading that a week or so ago ...

My bad Memphis ... there just discussing it ...

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/11/20/13690608/london-kickoff-nfl-international-930-am-time-change

The NFL’s sagging ratings have forced the league to reevaluate some of its decisions, including the attempts to use London as a way to squeeze another time slot into the weekend viewing schedule of football fans.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL is discussing moving the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff times for games in London back to 1 p.m. ET.

So, I take it that you have a problem with the way they take care of the field?

browns vs jags? even I find that atrocious

Have u ever watched any of the games? ...

I think it might be all the rain they get ... fields are soft as hell ...

Divots all over ... players can't figure out what cleats to wear ... slipping and falling down all over the place ...

Maybe it has something to do with soccer players weighing less ... well that sounds stupid ... *L* ...

I'm not sure bleed .. i just know all but like one of the games in the last two years has been a field crap fest ...

Pick through the NFL rubble of attendance. Khan wants a team there. Who might it be?
Their numbers are up while the NFL has been down more than they care to admit. This London fiasco is good for the money guys apparently. The logistics and fallout are bad for fans and players who finish last in that order IMO.
Columbus, anyone?

Soccer players hate turf. A lot of teams across the sea would rather forfeit than play on turf. I can't blame them. It's dumb that the NFL does. It makes the game faster, but you're also asking to get injured.

They watch soccer, and are super excited by nil-nil games.

I'm sure that a Browns/Jags game would thrill the cockles of their hearts.

Besides, I'd rather sacrifice a home game, if it comes to that, now while we're struggling, before we, hopefully, turn things around in a couple of years.

Saints/Dolphins was a matchup already announced to be there

Didn't we enter a lottery or some sorts to play in London? I thought it had to do with taking some money from the NFL. I remember reading about it during the offseason, but I can't recall the link unfortunately.

Hopefully they match us with the Silly Nannies (family guy reference). We might have a shot!

I thought the NFL said every team had to play in London by like 2019 or something

I wonder if Haslem will provide Jr with a ticket?

My luck they'll pick GB @ Cle.

Born in WI. Half my family is from there, was ganna go with them to it..

Possibly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_International_Series

"As of the 2017 season, 8 of the 32 teams have not played in the International Series: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans. The Jacksonville Jaguars have played four international games, the most of any team, and are scheduled to play at least one international game every season through 2020. The Miami Dolphins will play their fourth game in the 2017 season."

Doesn't say anything about what I said in my post, so I guess I misread something or misremembered it. Hmmm.

What I did find really interesting, the wiki says the plural form of "stadium" is "stadia".

it's a possiblity

You do realize what football means in Europe, right?

blah

It's more interesting to watch than basketball.

Can they just stay there and Cleveland get an NFL team anytime soon?

"No damn dots on the ball!'
George Carlin

Ill be there if this comes off.

Been a Browns fan in England since 1987 and have been to Cleveland a number of times to watch some ''home' games, including this year and our away game this season in Miami.

Dont care that we are playing [censored] right now and lets face it we REALLY are [censored] but just seeing our Browns in London will be good enough for me and all the other British Browns Backers in England.

If any of you come over for the game you'll have a great time in London.

Photo below of me in the #57 jersey with my flag and with my good friend Howie in the Muni lot for this years Ravens game.

http://prod.images.browns.clubs.nflcdn.c...&height=720

I just hope it's not houston.... I'm excited to get to see the Browns up close again next year