Tottenham ‘No Special Rights’ in the US as ‘Blockbuster’ Deal is Considered

Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, now running a football consultancy, emphasized that Tottenham Hotspur should not expect any special privileges due to their hosting of NFL games in London.

He insisted that the Premier League should make any decisions about taking matches abroad, not individual clubs.

Wyness pointed out that while Spurs have a deal with the NFL to host two games annually at their state-of-the-art stadium until 2029, this does not grant them exclusive rights to host Premier League fixtures overseas.

The Premier League has held pre-season games in the US through its “Summer Series,” but Tottenham has not been involved in these events.

The idea of playing Premier League games in the US has been discussed for some time.

In June, Liverpool chairman Tom Werner stated his determination to one day have a Premier League match in New York City.

Additionally, TBR Football reported on November 15 that many major clubs privately support taking matches outside of their traditional locales.

Wyness also commented on the broader concept of globalizing the league, sharing that he supported the idea of a “39th game” abroad back in 2007.

He envisioned multiple matches across different time zones in one weekend, showcasing the Premier League to a global audience.

However, he believes the decision to take games abroad should involve careful consideration and isn’t solely dependent on Tottenham’s NFL connection.

While there may be interest in expanding the league’s reach, Wyness stressed that any such move would require thorough planning, and it’s not guaranteed that Spurs would be prioritized for matches in the US.