NFL expansion has been on the minds of many ever since the league decided to play games overseas. An international division has been talked about for years but the difficulties of expansion, especially overseas, have made this a pipe dream. However, it seems talks are gaining more traction. At the recent owner meetings, one owner thinks there is going to be an international division sometime soon.
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NFL Expansion: International Division
It seems it is now not a question of if but when. One anonymous owner said he didn’t know the timeline but it is only a matter of time before expansion happens.
“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,” one owner who spoke on condition of anonymity told Front Office Sports.
Seemingly, this would mean at least four teams would be added with the possibility of more. This would be the largest expansion ever for the NFL. In 1995, the NFL added the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, and in 2002 the Houston Texans. Added four teams would be a massive cost but would expand the league’s footprint and open up more opportunities for revenue.
Most Likely Locations
Europe is the most likely location. The NFL has played games in London for over a decade and just started games in Germany. While Canada and Mexico would be easier from a logistics standpoint (no time change), the fan base is primed in Europe. This would be a massive undertaking and a huge shift in the league, especially for scheduling. Having to figure out how to get teams to and from Europe while making sure they have rest would be interesting. Thursday Night Football would be difficult to figure out, especially with the recent expansion of those games.
NFL expansion is not without its problems but it seems inevitable. Pat McAfee even suggested that the NFL could be looking to go to 40 teams making an expansion of eight teams altogether. Whatever the NFL decides we know that changes are coming. While it does come with issues, I do think that more teams make the sport more fun. If they can work out the logistics, it is an overall win for the fans.