‘Global intention’ – NFL commissioner stuns fans with announcement new team based outside of United States

There could soon be a new NFL team.

And if commissioner Roger Goodell fulfills a career dream, the team will be based outside of the United States of America.

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The Super Bowl could be played outside of the USA[/caption]

“Global is something that we’re intent on becoming — a global sport,” Goodell said on Monday at the Superdome in New Orleans.

While the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles prepare for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Goodell answered a series of topics during his annual press conference.

The commissioner pushing back against a Chiefs ‘bias’ received the most attention.

“That’s a ridiculous theory — for anyone who might take it seriously,” Goodell said.

But Goodell also made news by highlighting the possibilities of NFL international expansion.

“I do think there’s a potential that someday we’re going to have an international franchise,” he said.

“And if we do, it would not surprise me at all if the Super Bowl follows and is played there.”

The Jacksonville Jaguars were once considered the primary option for international relocation if the NFL were to move a team outside of the USA.

That became far less likely with planned stadium renovations in Jacksonville valued at $1.4 billion.

Goodell didn’t offer specifics on Monday.

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Kansas City and Philadelphia are aiming for the world title[/caption]

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell dreams of an international team[/caption]

Whether a franchise would be relocated or the NFL would add a 33rd — and potentially the 34th — team was unclear.

But the commissioner teased selling new international media rights and said he was open to as many as 16 international games in a season.

London hosts three international NFL games a year at Tottenham Hotspur and Wembley Stadiums.

Brazil, Germany, Spain and Mexico have all received an international push in recent years, while Australia is also on the map.

But adding an international franchise would be a massive step for the NFL, which generated $20 billion in revenue in 2023.

“It’s a great thing for the New Orleans Saints to be the host of the Super Bowl, have the world’s attention,” Goodell said.

“I think the same will be true if we had an international franchise to be able to play the Super Bowl there, to support that franchise.”

The NFL launched the International Series in 2007 when the New York Giants faced the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium.

From 2007-12, Wembley hosted one regular-season NFL game each season.

In 2012, the Jaguars agreed to play one home game at Wembley Stadium each year from 2013-16.

The International Series expanded in 2016 with the league’s return to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.

In 2019, the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears played the first game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The NFL could still be years away from permanently having a team based outside of the US.

But Goodell is clearly dreaming of a global future for American football.

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