Gang land UK marketing deal

The Jets are not moving to London, but they now consider it their second home.

The Jets were awarded the international marketing rights to the United Kingdom as part of the NFL’s International Home Marketing Area initiative. It is a marketing deal that will allow the team access for at least a five-year term to pursue opportunities in the UK with fan engagements, content creation and partnerships with UK brands, businesses, teams and athletes.

The NFL has previously stated that every team will give up at least one home game to play an international game in the next eight seasons. The Jets will likely now play those international games in the UK. The Jets played the Falcons in London in October, but that was a Falcons home game. They also played there in 2015 against the Dolphins, who were the home team.

The UK was an obvious choice for the Jets because owner Woody Johnson served as the U.S. Ambassador to the UK from 2017-21 under former President Donald Trump.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded the United Kingdom bid as the Jets continue to expand our global footprint,” Johnson said in a statement. “As a country with a deep and rich culture of sporting greatness, the United Kingdom has been our clear top choice throughout this process. After seeing the passion, not only for the NFL, but for the Jets during my time there as Ambassador, I knew this would be a wonderful opportunity for our organization to strengthen our roots in the UK and connect with even more new fans. After all, New York and London are sister cities.”

Former center Nick Mangold will serve as the Jets’ team ambassador to the UK.