VIKINGS HEADED TO LONDON FOR GAME IN 2022

The NFL business model is to continue to expand the reach of professional football world wide. There are several countries that have semi-pro versions of American football, but nothing close to the NFL since the World League existed. Every year a couple games are played over there now where previously there was only one. Originally the games were usually played between two teams that weren’t having a great season and the home game was going to be poorly attended. The NFL was wise to start sending better teams over to give the NFL fans in Europe – where there are many more than there used to be to give them something more to root for. The Vikings got announced this morning as one of teams crossing the pond to play against the New Orleans Saints. It will count as a “home game” for the Saints so season ticket holders in the States won’t lose a game at US Bank Stadium. There was a fair amount of speculation that this game was going to happen and strong rumors following it as well. With the Saints in a bit of rebuilding mode it makes more since to have it be their game. The last time the Vikings played there they defeated the Cleveland Browns in 2017 as they made a playoff push that led to the Minneapolis Miracle, but ultimately losing in Philadelphia to the Eagles in the NFC Championship. I love how mascot Viktor the Viking has become “Vik Lasso” in honor of Jason Sudeikis’ character Ted Lasso. A couple cool things is that the game will air in the morning locally at 8:30AM which will give you the rest of the day to do whatever you want, and you can drink Bloody Mary’s and breakfast while watching the game! SKOL!