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10/12 10:55 CDT Holding a Super Bowl outside the US is a possibility, NFL
Commissioner Goodell says
Holding a Super Bowl outside the US is a possibility, NFL Commissioner Goodell
says
By KEN MAGUIRE
AP Sports Writer
LONDON (AP) --- The NFL's aggressive international growth plan could include
holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time, Commissioner
Roger Goodell said Saturday.
Goodell has shot down the idea in the past, but he told a fan forum in London
that it's a possibility.
"We've always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city --- that
was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises," he said
in response to a question about moving the neutral-site game internationally.
"But things change. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that happens one day."
Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16
international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games.
He added that he has "no doubt" that Ireland will host a game soon. He named
Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host and said the Jacksonville Jaguars are
considering increasing the number of games they play in London during their
stadium renovations at home.
Team owners already have authorized up to eight international games, but
Goodell said they could double that number --- creating a scenario where all 32
teams could play an international game each year.
The key is expanding the regular season by one game and reducing the number of
preseason games to two.
"If we do expand our season --- our regular season --- to an 18-and-two
structure, I see us going to 16 of those games being in international markets,"
Goodell said.
He added that the plan could include a second bye week in the schedule.
Moving to an 18th game is seen as inevitable. The players union has indicated
it is open to an agreement before the current labor deal expires after the 2030
season.
There are five international games this season, and Goodell said the league
wants to increase to eight "quickly."
Dublin has been seen as the next likely host --- after Madrid gets its first
game in 2025.
"I have no doubt that we're going to be playing in Ireland. I don't know if it
will be next year, but it's coming soon," Goodell said at Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium.
He cited Rio de Janeiro as the possible host of the next Brazil game --- Sao
Paulo staged one this season.
London has hosted regular-season games since 2007 and Germany since 2022.
"We're looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia," he said.
"There's probably more interest than we can handle."
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