Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP, entertainment and sports law partner Glen A. Rothstein, was quoted in a Law360 article, “Potential London NFL Team Could Impact Next CBA.” The October 20th article, written by reporter Zachary Zagger, addresses the NFL’s experiment in London to increase interest in a permanent team in the United Kingdom.
Rothstein commented, "The NFL will locate a team in London in the future, and it is not that far off."
Rothstein further explained that players' freedom of movement may become a particular issue and may require tweaks to the NFL rules and could impact the next round of collective bargaining agreement negotiations. "On the one hand, I would not be surprised if the players say there needs to be some kind of concession for things like travel ... like requiring bye weeks after travel to London," Rothstein said. "I can see that as a bargaining chip. But on the other hand, international expansion can be a huge cash cow for all of the players too." Rothstein further pointed out that the NFL's current draft setup, salary cap and rules restricting free agent moves, all meant to create parity in the league, could run afoul of European Union laws against the free movement of workers, depending on what happens with the U.K.'s forthcoming exit from the European Union.
Rothstein, however, predicts all these issues can and will be overcome if there is enough money to be made.
"The question for all of these franchise relocations is: Will the sport do well in the new location?" he said. "If they could put a franchise on the moon and sell out the stadium, they would approve a relocation or expansion franchise."
