SB Nation Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Buccaneers To Play Chicago Bears In London During 2011 Seasonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-04-18T19:49:17-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18714642011-04-18T19:49:17-04:002011-04-18T19:49:17-04:00NFL International Series: Buccaneers, Bears To Play In London In 2011
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<p>There was a <a target="new" href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-buccaneers/2011/4/12/2107423/tampa-bay-buccaneers-london-international-series-2011">report last week from ESPN1000</a> that the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> would be facing the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> in London, England during the 2011 season. This report has now been officially confirmed and released: the Bears and Bucs will play in London on Sunday, October 23 at 1:00 PM <span class="caps">EST</span> (6:00 PM UK time).</p>
<p>There have been four <span class="caps">NFL</span> games played in London since 2007, and the Buccaneers played there as recently as 2009. While this is good exposure for the franchise, it does mean that season ticket holders now have one less game as a part of their package. Season ticket holders <a target="new" href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2011/4/18/2118843/the-tampa-bay-buccaneers-play-the-chicago-bears-in-london-on-october">will be reimbursed</a> for that game if they have already paid in full, and if not, their payment plan will be adjusted accordingly.</p>
<p>The Bucs are very excited about the possibility of expanded branding oversees. According to the press release:</p>
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<p>"We are honored to be selected to participate in the <span class="caps">NFL</span> International Series for a second time," said Buccaneers co-chairman <span class="caps">BRYAN</span> <span class="caps">GLAZER</span>. "We are looking forward to promoting Tampa Bay’s emerging young team on the world stage. We have the longest running fan club of any <span class="caps">NFL</span> team in the UK and look forward to seeing so many familiar faces from the Bucs UK fan club at the game."</p>
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<p>The game will be available on <span class="caps">FOX</span> in the United States, and on Sky Sports and <span class="caps">BBC</span> Radio in the United Kingdom. If the labor situation is not resolved by August 1st, then the game reverts to Tampa Bay.</p>
<p><em>For more news and coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, visit SB Nation’s blog <a target="new" href="http://www.bucsnation.com/">Bucs Nation</a>.</em></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-buccaneers/2011/4/18/2119076/nfl-international-series-tampa-bay-buccaneers-chicago-bears-london-2011Steve Slowinski2011-04-12T20:39:48-04:002011-04-12T20:39:48-04:00Tampa Bay Buccaneers To Play Chicago Bears In London During 2011 Season
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<p>A <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=6339320" target="_blank">report out by ESPN 1000</a> (confirmed by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter) is stating that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> will play one game in the 2011-2012 season in London, England. The Bucs will face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> during this game (called the <a href="http://www.nfllondon.net/" target="_blank">NFL International Series</a>), but the current date and time of the game is not yet known. Full NFL season schedules are not set to be released until next week.</p>
<p>Of course, this schedule is contingent on the NFL reaching an agreement with the NFL Player's Association, and ending the current lockout. There has been very little movement in negotiations since the two sides officially entered a lockout situation, and the battle will likely be fought in courts and last through the summer. It's impossible to say at this point if there will or will not be an upcoming football season, but the league is carrying on with planning as if there will be.</p>
<p>There have been four NFL games played in London since 2007, and the Buccaneers played there as recently as 2009. In their last time in London, the Bucs lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> 35-7.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/4/12/2333352/tampa-bay-buccaneers-to-play-chicago-bears-in-london-during-2011Steve Slowinski