NFL plans first international franchise, expands abroad

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated that there will eventually be NFL teams based outside the United States, underscoring the league’s ongoing international expansion. The NFL is currently playing nine regular-season games outside the U.S. this season, with venues spanning Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City, as part of a broad international calendar. Goodell floated the possibility of an international expansion team once a foreign base is established, and suggested such a team could potentially host a future Super Bowl. London remains a key hub with multiple games, while countries like Australia, France and Brazil are among those hosting firsts in the current slate. The overall message from Goodell is that the NFL is pursuing global growth and sees international expansion including the possibility of an international Super Bowl in due course.