NFL Executives Reveal “Overwhelming Favorite” To Land First International Team
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Roger Goodell said it again this month.
“At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA. I have no doubt that this will happen one day,” the Commissioner declared.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN then asked the team’s executives where that first franchise should be based. London won in a landslide.
The league will play nine games abroad this season. Next year, that number can hit 10. A full-time home is the next step.
NFL International Team Race Starts With London
An AFC executive called travel to London “pretty turnkey.” The city has hosted 41 regular-season games. Infrastructure is already there.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium impressed owners. One exec compared it to the Bills’ new Highmark Stadium.
“It’s got the facilities, a large economy and the population. The fanbase there is passionate.”
The metro area has a population of 14.4 million. A flight from New York takes about seven hours. From Los Angeles, it takes 10 to 11 hours. Execs said you almost do not need a bye after a London trip.
The Jaguars already play there every year. Goodell once said London could support two teams, not one.
NFL International Team Options Behind London
Mexico City ranked next. Travel is short. Dallas sits about 990 miles away. The metro holds 21.8 million people. Games return to Banorte Stadium from 2026 through 2028.
“Travel is the biggest impediment, and Mexico is a manageable trip,” an NFC executive said.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers already have big Mexican followings.
Toronto offers the easiest logistics. Buffalo is 98 miles away. The city knows pro sports. The knock is simple. The Bills already act as Canada’s team. Toronto also needs a new football stadium.
Berlin is the newest name. Germany sold out the Colts-Falcons last year. The atmosphere was loud. The flight from New York is about eight hours. Germany has the world’s third-largest economy.
A real franchise is still years away. Goodell has said a full overseas team may sit beyond 10 years. The homework has started. Execs already know their first pick.
