Former NFL star expects new Tottenham stadium to host London team | OneFootball

After NFL franchise owner Shahid Khan pulled out of a deal to buy Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium is more likely than ever to host NFL teams in the future.

The new stadium isn’t yet open but has long been earmarked to host events other than Tottenham matches.

Using the stadium for more than one sport was already in mind during the design process, leading to the installation of a retractable football pitch. Below the playing surface there will be a second, synthetic pitch.

The NFL are currently hosting regular season games at Wembley but Spurs have agreed a deal for their new home to host two NFL games per season for the next 10 years.

Former NFL star Osi Umenyiora expects there to be a London-based NFL franchise before long.

When that happens, they’ll need a home.

“I think [Tottenham] know exactly what’s going to happen here as far as the NFL is concerned,” Umenyiora told the Evening Standard.

“The NFL has invested a huge sum of money in this market, to expand into this market, and if you know anything about the NFL, you know that they’re not in to wasting money.

“So the fact that they did that, lets you know what their plans are and Tottenham are on board with those plans.”

Tottenham had planned to open the stadium at the end of the summer but a series of delays means it remains unused.

Reports on Tuesday said the north London club’s debts have risen to £500m as they fight the construction setbacks.