Roger Goodell Confirms Plans for Overseas Expansion

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NFL Commissioner Expresses Confidence in an International NFL Team and Potential Overseas Super Bowl

Roger Goodell recently discussed the potential for NFL expansion beyond the United States during an interview with former NFL player Marcus Kuhn for the German broadcasting network RTL. Goodell expressed strong confidence that there would, at some point, be an NFL team based outside the United States. He further speculated on the possibility of hosting a Super Bowl at the home field of such an international team, stipulating that this scenario would occur only after a team is established overseas.

Goodell specifically mentioned that while there are international cities capable of hosting the Super Bowl, the first requirement would be having an established NFL team in one of those cities. This detail eliminates any immediate plans for hosting a Super Bowl outside the U.S. before the establishment of an overseas team. The focus on London as a likely location for an NFL team was underscored, raising questions about whether the move would involve expansion or the creation of a new division.

The conversation also touched on NFL games being played in various European cities like Spain, Germany, and across the UK, including Scotland's keen interest in hosting a game. These international games are part of the NFL's strategy to gauge the feasibility of establishing multiple franchises in Europe.

From a logistical perspective, Goodell compared the flight times between U.S. cities to potential travel times for games involving an international team, highlighting the challenges and considerations of such expansion.