NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it crystal clear: the league's future is global. In a recent interview with German outlet RTL/ntv, Goodell told former NFL defensive tackle Markus Kuhn that international franchises are not a matter of if, but when.
"At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA," Goodell said. "I have no doubt that this will happen one day."
The commissioner's comments come as the NFL continues to push its international strategy, with a record nine games scheduled outside the United States this season. That slate includes the league's first-ever game in Australia, a Week 1 showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, as well as stops in London, Madrid, Mexico City, Munich, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro.
Goodell also hinted that an international franchise could pave the way for the first Super Bowl played outside the U.S. "There are definitely international cities that could host something like that," he said. "But we would like to see an NFL team in such a city first."
The NFL's global ambitions have been building for nearly two decades. The league played its first international regular-season game in London in 2007, and the appetite for American football abroad has only grown since. In May, NFL owners approved an expansion to up to 10 international games per year, and teams can no longer protect home games from being moved overseas.
Goodell has previously stated a goal of reaching 16 international games per season, which would give every team at least one game outside the U.S. annually. "It's the ambition we have to be a global sport," he said at a conference before Super Bowl LX in February. "But it's also the demand we're having. We're hearing from cities that want to host these games and really want to get more American football."
The move toward international franchises could have ripple effects across the league, from scheduling to player travel. But for now, fans can look forward to more international games, and perhaps one day, a Super Bowl in a city like London or Mexico City.
As the NFL expands its footprint, it also continues to address other pressing matters, such as the recent decision to not ban the tush push and the ongoing quarterback battles in training camps, like the one in Cleveland where a costly pick has raised doubts.
With Goodell at the helm, the NFL is clearly aiming for a future where the gridiron is played on every continent. Whether it's a franchise in London, Munich, or elsewhere, the commissioner's confidence suggests that the league's international expansion is only just beginning.
