NFL takes first step in making sport global..

Football attempted it with the infamous 39th game, but failed miserably as the idea was met with derision and dismay from many. So it's been left up to the Americans to take the first tentative step in making sport global, by taking the NFL out of it's American comfort zone.

On Sunday, 5,000 diehard NFL fans will travel from their homes in San Diego and New Orleans to London, or Wembley Stadium to be exact. It's the first regular season match ever to be held in London, and the sport's second big step into the unknown, after last year's exhibition match between the Miama Dolphins and the New York Giants.

If all goes well, there could be more games to be staged in the UK, with talks ongoing to extend the NFL season from 16 games to 18. Afterall, behind the US, the UK is deemed to be the most lucrative market for the NFL.

But is it really? Will we as a nation suddenly embrace American Football as a long lost brother, tossing aside the likes of 'Soccer' and Cricket?

Sure, the 85,000 locals inside Wembley would suggest so. But, when it's all said and done, beside the fanatics inside Wembley, how many of us casual fans will be more interested in the latest Premier League scandal? The NFL will be nothing more than an afterthought.

For me, American Football is just one of those sports that will seemingly never translate outside of the US. You have Baseball in Japan, Ice Hockey in Eastern Europe, and Basketball across the world. What about American Football? NFL Europe was destined to fail from the start, and another foray into European territory will be met with much trepidation.

Furthermore, for the casual sports fan, NFL just doesn't appeal. Which is strange, considering it's the most watched sporting event in the world. There are too many stoppages, too many complicated rules, and it's too much to take in for some. Aside from the Superbowl, how many of us really keep tabs on matters in the NFL? The Superbowl is an event that sees many of us become American Football fans for an evening, before returning to the sports we know and love. I should know, I'm one of them. And I'd hazard a guess that you are too.

That's not to say there isnt a fair share of NFL fanatics in the UK, because there are. Sky's coverage is second to none in giving American Football fanatics the action they crave. And the 85,000 locals crammed into Wembley stadium will no doubt be back for more NFL action, given the chance.

But for the majority of us, it'll be forgotten about come Monday morning. American Football is a minority sport in this country, and you feel it always will be.

By pouring so much money into this experiment - $5 million dollars to just stage the game, the NFL are banking on success.

But for all the money in sport, you cant buy history and tradition. Which is why this experiment wont make great waves in the UK.