Roger Goodell’s comments about foreign teams put expansion on the table - NBC Sports
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suggested that the league is moving toward international expansion, potentially adding teams in Europe. The proposal includes structural changes to the league's divisions to accommodate teams based in cities like London.
Why it matters
International expansion would represent the most significant structural change to the NFL in decades, impacting global sports markets and logistics.
The NFL last expanded in 2002. It’s currently the longest stretch in league history without the addition of a new team.
The recent comments from the Commissioner regarding the inevitability of an international team essentially open the door to the growth of the league beyond 32 franchises.
Goodell said “there will be teams outside the USA.” Plural. So either two teams will move to another country, or the NFL will add two teams.
Who would relocate? The Jaguars have a new long-term lease, to go along with their ongoing renovation project. There’s no other candidate to uproot from domestic soil and set up shop on foreign soil.
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