• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 4, 2025

NFL Reportedly Eyeing 18-Game Season

  • NFL owners recently approved a 17-game schedule.
  • However, a 18-game schedule may be in the league’s future and could come as early as 2025.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The NFL is keeping players and fans guessing on the length of future seasons.

Two months ago, NFL owners voted to expand the regular season to 17 games for the first time.

Now, an 18-game schedule may be in the league’s future, and the move could come as early as 2025, according to NBC Sports.

“Most observers … think 18 games is on the way,” writes Peter King.

The league’s current collective bargaining agreement, which runs until 2030, accounts for a 17-game season, but further extensions could be negotiated to bring more football to fans.

If it does eventually happen, the 18-game schedule is more likely to become become a reality in the mid-2020s — potentially under Roger Goodell’s successor. Goodell has been NFL commissioner for 15 years and his current contract ends after the 2023 season, but he’s given no hints that he plans to retire then.

Extending the NFL schedule has notable financial upside for the league and its media partners.

  • An extra game would sweeten the NFL’s current media rights deals with CBS, NBC, Disney, Fox, and Amazon — worth a total of $113 billion over 11 seasons.
  • The NFL already makes the most money of any American sports league with $12 billion in revenue last year, despite a drop from $16 billion in 2019 due to the pandemic. Another game would further cement that status.

Even with the promise of more games for fans and broadcasters, the decision to extend the NFL season has faced scrutiny due to its potential impact on long-term player safety.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Sponsored

Game the Green: Transforming Fan Experiences at TPC Sawgrass

As fans gather at THE PLAYERS Championship, Comcast Business will be keeping spectators and the PGA TOUR connected like never before.
October 8, 2024

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

Schedule changes finished second with 17% of the vote.
February 3, 2025

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Crash As Hotel Rooms See Historic Rate Hike

Prices sink by about 30%, due in part to a lodging crunch.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
September 8, 2024

US Open Breaks Attendance Record

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner beat No. 12 Taylor Fritz in straight sets Sunday.
Sponsored

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways: Where Golf Meets Gourmet at the TOUR Championship

This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors.
July 18, 2024

Loyal WNBA Fans Hit With Enormous Season-Ticket Price Hikes

Some season-ticket holders are seeing their prices doubled.
July 16, 2024

CONMEBOL, Hard Rock Stadium Continue Trading Blame Over Copa Disaster

Each blames the other for the security madness at Sunday’s final.