Roger Goodell has ‘no doubt’ NFL will eventually have teams outside United States
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed confidence that NFL teams will eventually be based outside the United States, signaling a future expansion of the league internationally.
- Goodell acknowledged the possibility of hosting a Super Bowl overseas but emphasized the preference to first establish an NFL team in an international city.
- The NFL has a history of international games dating back to 2005 and is expanding its global footprint, with a record nine international games planned for 2026 in cities including Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Mexico City, Munich, Madrid, and London.
- Despite international ambitions, NFL executives have indicated that hosting a Super Bowl abroad is not an immediate focus, citing factors like demand, impact, and weather considerations.
- Goodell envisions the NFL becoming a global sport, potentially playing up to 16 games internationally if the league adopts an 18-game schedule in the future.
