It is a big world and the NFL is increasingly going global.
While the Premier League engages in a “civil war” with reigning champions Manchester City, American football is continuing to expand overseas.
The NFL plays three games in London a year and more could be on the way[/caption]
The NFL has played three games in London in recent years, bouncing between Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley.
Brazil and Germany have also been home sites for the richest sports league in the world – and more are on the way.
The NFL eclipsed $20 billion in annual revenue in 2023, while Jerry Jones‘ Dallas Cowboys are valued at $10.1b, and are worth more than Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The goalposts are moving, though, and the NFL has begun to unveil its global master plan.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently acknowledged what has long been theorized by league insiders.
Pro football in the United States has plans within the next five years to have all 32 teams playing an international game, which would expand the regular season from 17 to 18 games.
“We hope to be 16 (international) within five years,” said Goodell, according to Sports Business Journal.
“We could be doing more regular season than preseason, so we’re looking at a change from the 17-and-three format to maybe 18 regular season games and two preseason games,” Goodell said.
“That will open up more inventory to allow us to play more globally.”
With 32 teams in the league, 16 international games would allow every franchise to alternately be “home” or away on the global map.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s biggest move would be global expansion[/caption]
The NFL has saturated the United States and could add an 18th game for overseas play[/caption]
London would obviously remain as a key city for the NFL’s international plans.
Madrid will host it’s first game in 2025, while Ireland, Australia, France and Abu Dhabi are also receiving serious consideration.
“You’re going to see a whole lot more international games, starting next year,” CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported in October.
“One city the league is looking closely at: Abu Dhabi.
“That’s right. The capital of the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East, with its incredible wealth.
“Many sports leagues are doing business over there and the NFL did a site survey within the past year to see how they could pull off a game there.”
The NFL expanded from 16 to 17 games in 2021.
Four years later, the league is openly discussing its hope for an 18th game that would help even out the regular-season schedule.
But the primary reason for an 18th game is the NFL’s global master plan.
Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley and the Pittsburgh Steelers are recognized across the world.
Goodell and the NFL see huge financial opportunities outside the United States, and hope to take American football into a new modern world.
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