Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
NFL expansion has been a hot topic as of late. As the league continues to soar in popularity, expansion is almost inevitable. To take it one step further, expansion internationally has been rumored for years. The NFL started playing games in London in 2007. Ever since then people have speculated on if the NFL would ever expand there. Commissioner Roger Goodell has come out in favor of multiple teams in Europe and with the recent flurry of ticket sales for international games, international expansion will happen sooner than you think.
NFL Expansion History
The NFL hasn’t had a massive expansion in a long time. 1995 was the last time that multiple teams were added with the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars joining the league. The last time a team was added was over 20 years ago when the Houston Texans joined the league. The issue with expansion is that it comes with a lot of logistical hurdles. Having the expansion draft is another layer of work for teams. Finding the right locations is also challenging though for the NFL, isn’t as big of an issue. Where NFL expansion gets trickier is the international piece of all of this.
International Expansion
Reports, including Goodell himself, have indicated that they want a European division in the near future. This would mean four teams in London, Germany, or another location across the pond. From a popularity standpoint it makes sense. Tickets went on sale in Germany for the 2023 International Series. The tickets were gone in 15 minutes and people shared screen shots showing there were 1.4 million people in front of them. The demand is there but that is just the first hurdle to clear.
The Time Zone Issue
Players have been very vocal about playing in Europe. The time zone change is rough on the bodies of players. Anyone who has flown internationally can attest to this. A four team division solely based in Europe is meant to help the issue as six games on the schedule would be against teams on the same continent. However, the other 11 games are going to be tough to figure out. The NFL is going to have to figure out how to help the international teams not have brutal travel schedules.
It’s Happening Whether We Like It Or Not
There are challenges and issues of NFL expansion beyond the time zone but this is happening whether we like it or not. The NFL has spent years cultivating a fan base overseas. The demand is there and if a country had a team or multiple teams, it seems fans would flock to support them. This season, we are seeing the most international games ever with the Jaguars spending two straight weeks in London. Some reports have said that the NFL is pushing for an international division as early as 2025. While that seems a little quick, this is going to happen sooner than we think.
More Domestic Teams Coming In NFL Expansion?
There’s a chance that NFL expansion is not limited to the international realm. Cities like St. Louis, Oakland, and San Diego have previously housed teams and could do so again. San Antonio and Salt Lake City have been thrown out as options as well. If the NFL wanted to stay international only, they could add Mexico City or cities in Canada. This could very easily balloon into an eight team expansion which would be huge for the NFL.
Check Out More From The Forkball!
The NFL landscape is about to change. There have been no official announcements but everything coming from the commissioners office says that the league is looking to expand. Keep an eye out for any NFL expansion news. When it comes, it will be one of the biggest sports stories of the decade.
