NFL could soon have Europe division says academy boss

Yahoo Sports | American Football | 07/26/2024

Baltimore Ravens faced Tennessee Titans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last October [Getty Images]

By Chris Peddy – Bbc Sport

A European division of the NFL featuring franchises in some of the continent’s biggest cities could soon become a reality, according to the head coach of the league’s England-based academy.

London and Munich will again host games at the likes of Wembley, Allianz Arena and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.

Sao Paulo will be the stage for the league’s opening game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, and Madrid is due to host its own fixture next year as the league continues to expand its reach outside of the United States through its international series.

The exploratory minor league NFL Europe – which included the London Monarchs and Scottish Claymores – ceased to exist in 2007.

But Steve Hagen, the former Cleveland Browns and New York Jets assistant coach, said it will not be long before franchises are set up this side of the Atlantic – and this time with a direct route to the Super Bowl.

“I think the NFL is working for that international presence. I don’t know if it would just be a team or maybe a division in Europe, where that division plays itself into that play-off situation,” he told BBC Sport, speaking at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“That’s at a level way higher than me but I don’t think it’s too far away because of the facilities here – it’s the best.

“This matches America. So, they could do that possibly. It’s just a matter of how much they want to invest in all this.”

Hagen worked at the Browns from 2001 to 2004 and 2009 to 2012, helping the franchise reach the play-offs in 2002, and spent 2013 to 2015 at the Jets.

‘Not everyone will become a footballer – but they will be professional’

Head coach Steve Hagen addresses the NFL Academy on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Now he is applying his experience to teach the next generation as head coach of the NFL Academy, which aims to unearth the best talent from across Europe and Africa.

The academy launched in 2019 in London, and is now based at Loughborough University, where players between the ages of 16 and 19 train five days a week alongside full-time education.

This is with a view to equipping them with the skills and qualifications to seal a place at a Division One or Division Two college team in the US – and ultimately a place in the NFL draft.

This year, there will be 72 players from 19 different countries and territories involved, with 34 newcomers from more than 2,500 applicants.

There are currently 19 academy alumni playing in Division One and English former rugby player Travis Clayton was drafted by Buffalo Bills in April, having spent time in the academy and later joining the international player pathway.