The future of the NFL is looking more global than ever before, with exciting developments on the horizon. The league’s international series has already made waves, but now it seems that there may be even bigger changes afoot. It has been scouting the possibilities of expanding its market in regions where the NFL has promising growth. Ever since the league’s first regular fixture outside of the US in 1926, it has granted 18 teams access to 26 International Home Marketing Arenas across eight different countries.
Now an anonymous NFL franchise owner has hinted that the league is considering adding more teams to its roster as it expands its reach around the world. With the potential for new markets and fresh talent, this could be a game-changing move for the NFL.
NFL going international
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According to an article by AJ Perez for Front Office Sports, there is a possibility of a European Division soon emerging as a part of the league. When speaking anonymously to an owner of an NFL franchise, he stated that the possibility of a European division is not a far-fetched idea. International expansion does not cease to stop in the league, and this may lead to the fruition of an international division. Ever since Roger Goodell took over as the league’s commissioner, he has shown his talent in growing revenue for the NFL.
“We don’t know if it’s going to happen in two years, five years … but there’s going to be an international division.”
The NFL is expanding its reach internationally — and team owners believe it will soon evolve into an unprecedented European division.@byajperez’s story ⤵️
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 29, 2023
The anonymous owner said, “We don’t know if it’s going to happen in two years, five years, or whenever, but there’s going to be an international division.” In a bid to build more recognition of the league overseas, it has been hosting regular season fixtures outside. This not only helps in garnering record-breaking viewerships for the sport, but it also builds the interest of the international fanbase, ultimately leading to the league growing bigger.
Currently, for the 2023 season, there are five games scheduled for teams internationally.
The 2023 season
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It seems like there is a growing relationship between the NFL and Europe. The league had announced that they will host five regular season games in Europe. They have scheduled three games in the UK and two in Germany. This is the most games the NFL has hosted in Europe ever since its move towards international expansion.
Apart from this, another method the league uses to help in the expansion of football is by showing its support for flag football both in the US and internationally. Even this year’s Super Bowl LVII commercial focused on flag football by featuring Mexican flag football star, Diana Flores.
The league is moving towards international highlights and its interest in Europe will treat fans to the addition of a four-team European division in the coming years.
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