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TAMPA - The Bucs are going overseas. And they’re taking the Patriots with them.
The Bucs and Patriots have been chosen by the NFL to play a regular season game in London next year, on Oct. 25. The game is a Bucs home game, but it will be played at Wembley Stadium at 1 p.m., EST.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization is extremely excited and honored to be chosen to participate in the NFL International Series,’’ Bucs executive vice president Joel Glazer said. “we look forward to being part of the NFL’s global outreach and playing our great game in front of Buccaneers fans overseas.’’
At least 300 such Bucs fans live in and around London and have been part of a booster club that has been in existence for 24 years. The game will come as the Bucs UK booster club celebrates its 25th anniversary, said club president Paul Stewart.
“This is fantastic news for Buccaneers fans here in the UK,’’ Stewart told The Tribune. “Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the Bucs UK booster club and what better way to celebrate than to see the Bucs playing on this side of the Atlantic. I think all 300 members of the club will be clamouring for tickets in the next few hours!’’
Bucs fans here in Tampa will be offered a chance to buy tickets and fly to London for the game as well, Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said. Allen said travel packages will be put together during the offseason and will be available to fans.
As for seasons ticket holders, the 2009 package of tickets will reflect the London game, meaning it will include one less game than usual, Allen said.
Allen said the Bucs are pleased to go and excited about facing one of the AFC’s premier teams.
“We couldn’t schedule Wichita State because they’re not in our league,’’ Allen said. “But these are two of the premier franchises in the NFL. It should be a great game.’’
This will mark the third straight season that the NFL has played a regular-season game in London.
“Over the past years we have seen first-hand the excitement that exists for our sport in the UK,’’ NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “The games have helped us to deepen out connection with our UK fans as well as create new ones. We are looking forward to another outstanding game in 2009.’’
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Posted by tatmanfish, tampa on 12/02 at 02:51 AM
this sucks. why cant they play preseason there? this whole london thing sucks. the nfl europe failed and this will fail too. losing a home game is rediculous. this will be a significant anount of revenue out of the bucs pockets as well, unless the nfl compesates them for it(doubt it). hell they had several teams to go see with nfl europe, why keep giving them games.this bloody sucks.
Posted by NC buc fan, on 12/01 at 09:32 PM
This is a horrible thing for the Bucs. Losing a home game is an awful thing plus it is a huge distraction. Although, the Giants did go on to win the Superbowl. Hopefully they don’t get shafted like the Saints did this season and go over 40 days without playing a game at there actual home field. I think this SUCKS big time! It’s not even a national game either.
Posted by Michael Harris, Oldsmar, FL on 12/01 at 07:31 PM
What a crock of crappola that ANY NFL team has to go ANY WHERE outside of the United States to play a REGULAR season game. The Owners need to say NO to this crock of crappola. It’s ridiculously difficult enough for players to travel as much as they do within the United States. The Players Union disappoints me that they haven’t addressed this issue.
Posted by Tony, Orlando on 12/01 at 05:00 PM
Why is the game one that involves one of the two opponents that has yet to play a regular season game in the RayJay (the Dolphins are the other, also scheduled to be here in 2009) If the NFL keeps the current scheduling format it will be another 8 years before we will have another opportunity to see the Pats.
Posted by Matt, Altamonte Springs on 12/01 at 04:38 PM
Funny how all the London “home” games have come from Florida and/or NFC South teams. Obviously no bias there, none at all.
Posted by Reddog, Indianapolis on 12/01 at 02:26 PM
BOOOOOOOOOO. That’s ridiculous to give up a home game for this. The league is telling our home fans that they don’t care about us (you only get 8 to start with ...). The NFL needs to keep this nonsense in the preseason only.
Posted by :PapaJohn, Tampa on 12/01 at 02:14 PM
I don’t mind losing a home game, but what irks me is that you will never see the NFL ask teams like Dallas, Pats, or NY to give up home games.
The NFL should “reimburse” cities that do lose a game with hosting the Pro Bowl and season ticket holders getting first dibbs at tickets.
Posted by Ken Belk, Columbia, MO on 12/01 at 02:13 PM
Why in the world would a team that is 6-0 at home give up a home game? I love the fact that the NFL is trying expand overseas but it seems incredibly stupid to give up a home game to do so. Bad move, hopefully it doesn’t come back to haunt us.
Posted by Jeeves, tampa on 12/01 at 01:25 PM
why does it have to be OUR home game? why not the paytoilets home game? BOOOOOOOOO! i think its an awful idea...let em stick to their rugby....
Posted by Bucs Fan stuck in Cinci, Cincinnati on 12/01 at 12:56 PM
While I think it’s great the Bucs are chosen to participate in this wondrous occasion, I think it’s unfortunate we’ll be losing a regular season home game in the process…
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Posted by FleurDeLis, on 12/02 at 05:00 PM
Ahh, same feeling the Saints fans had…
What makes it even worse, are the kind of cleats the players will have to wear to gain traction on the wet, sloppy turf. That equates to ACL and cartilage tears. The foot plants down, the legs get hit and everything except for the foot turns.
Not good.