Packers: 5 key points from shareholders meeting
By Phil Watson
Nov 8, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; General view of double-decker bus on the Bridge Road overpass in front of the Wembley Stadium in advance of the NFL International Series game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Packers to London not likely in 2016
Murphy said that reports of the Packers traveling to London to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 were premature and that the game is not likely going to happen.
“I hope it happens,” Murphy told PackersNews.com. “I think it would be good for the organization, in terms of our fan base, and I know it’s on Aaron Rodgers’ bucket list. Anytime we can help Aaron achieve his bucket list, that would be good.”
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The Jaguars recently renewed a contract to serve as the host team for one game a year at London’s Wembley Stadium.
But Green Bay faces a double-edged sword in terms of wishing to go to London. The Packers aren’t willing to sacrifice a home date because of the economic impact it would have on the franchise.
And because the fan base travels so well, teams in other NFL cities are reluctant to give up that sort of attendance boost—particularly a team that has struggled at the gate the way Jacksonville has in recent years.
“The good example I mentioned a couple of years ago, we played at St. Louis,” Murphy said. “The league thought that would be a good opportunity for us to play in London, but St. Louis said the way Packers fans travel, the Rams looked at it and said, ‘We wouldn’t want to give what’s a guaranteed sellout at home.’”
Murphy said the NFL may soon require teams wanting to host a Super Bowl to play a game in London, something that might be Green Bay’s only legitimate chance at making the trip.
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