San Francisco 49ers Chairman Talks Up London NFL Franchise Potential

London has the potential to host a National Football League (NFL) franchise according San Francisco 49ers co-chairman John York.

Wembley Stadium is set to host NFL games in London in the same year for the first time with the Minnesota Vikings taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of September while the Californian side return to the UK for the first time in two years to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL International Series game at Wembley at the end of October.

“Clearly the number of (London) fans has grown,” York told Sky Sports News. “The media attention has grown and we’ve had no trouble selling out the tickets.

“This will be games number seven and eight and this will be the first time we will be playing two games (at Wembley) and all sold-out.

“We’ve taken real steps with having the two games and I think that we will progress beyond that.

“I don’t know there is any set timetable and there are complex issues with the logistics of travel, but we’re trying to take care of those things as they come along and not go too fast.

“But I believe the potential is there to have a franchise in London.”