Last month, Commissioner Roger Goodell said he has “no doubt” that the NFL will have a team headquartered outside the United States.
Appearing on Prime Video’s pregame show before Lions-Bills on Thursday night, Goodell was asked how soon it will happen and where the team would be located.
“You know, that’s tough to say,” Goodell said. “I think if we continue to grow and continue to get the kind of reaction, I do think a franchise will be international at some point in time. I think Europe is the most likely, for a lot of reasons. One, the length of time we’ve been playing there. But also the scheduling is going to be a lot easier. Australia might create a few complications for us. But I also believe we could have more than one team. . . . The support is there.”
It would make sense to have two teams, especially if the first destination is London, which has two NFL-ready stadiums.
The lingering question is whether current teams would move, or whether the league would expand.
Goodell has in the past hinted at a four-team European division. The best long-term vision could be four teams in Europe and four teams elsewhere (Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and Japan).
Much of that hinges on the return of supersonic flight, a development the NFL is closely monitoring.
Yes, the league has been dangling the carrot of an international team for years. Often, it’s about driving interest in the variety-pack of games played in other countries. At this point, it does indeed feel as if it’s coming, eventually.
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