• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Roger Goodell Keeps Beating the Drum for 18-Game NFL Season

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in an interview with Bloomberg that it would be a “logical step” to expand the season to 18 games.

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the NFC wild card game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Roger Goodell has once again foreshadowed the coming of an 18-game NFL season.

The NFL commissioner appeared on Bloomberg TV and made comments about further expansion of the regular season, while also noting that a preseason game would be eliminated in the process. 

“We would keep within that 20-game framework,” Goodell said. “We went to 16 and four, and now 17 and three. So 18 and two is a logical step.”

The regular season shifted from 16 games to 17 between 2020 and 2021. Goodell’s goal for at least the past 15 years has been to expand to 18 games, so it’s not surprising he continues to bang the drum.

An extra game in the schedule per team would add 16 matchups of extra TV inventory, and the inevitable question becomes what happens with that from a rights perspective. It could lead either to an expansion of the existing rights deal—or the carve-out of a new package.

“It’s inevitable that the NFL will sell a Sunday morning package of international games. They could easily do it with a 17-game season,” ProFootballTalk founder Mike Florio told Front Office Sports. “They’ll absolutely do it with 18. Netflix makes the most sense, given the global reach and different time zones. The next question is how long until 18 becomes 19, and then how long until 19 becomes 20?”

Former Fox Sports executive Pat Crakes agreed that an additional package would likely be created out of an expanded season. “The most probable route is for the league to take the incremental games and create a near weekly package (something like 14 dates) played at international sites,” Crakes told FOS. “That package could be sold to a new partner who really could use the NFL and would pay the league’s asking price, which would be a lot. At the top of the list of potential partners would be companies such as Netflix and WBD, both of which would probably welcome a weekly slate of games and also have strong international distribution that would help rationalize paying some multiple above the current contract’s per game value.”

International growth is a big part of the NFL’s future plans. There have been NFL games staged in Brazil, Mexico, the U.K., and Germany in recent years. Next season, the Dolphins will play in Spain, and it has been rumored the Steelers and Packers could play in Ireland. 

To expand to 18 games, the NFL would need cooperation from the players’ union. In an interview with The Washington Post last July, NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell called the idea “negotiable.”

“We have talked at a very, very, very high level superficially, with a recognition … about, ‘Yeah, this is something that we should be talking about. And we should really kick the tires and understand what else goes into that decision-making process,’” Howell said.

Howell noted there are “economic, health, and safety matters”—as well as determining what percent of players’ annual compensation is guaranteed—the league would need to address before any agreement to add more games to the schedule.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Isaiah Wright, a running back featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U, is playing football for the Alcoa Alloys, a semipro team with the Interactive American Football League on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

‘Last Chance U’ Participants File $30M Lawsuit Against Netflix, Others

Producers of “Last Chance U” allegedly took “unfair advantage” of players.
Nov 26, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Alex Rodriguez watches as the Minnesota Timberwolves lose to the Houston Rockets in overtime at Target Center.

Glen Taylor Has ‘Limited’ Legal Options to Keep Timberwolves

One litigator says it’s usually “very hard to vacate an arbitration award.”
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) and linebacker Josh Sweat (19) tackle Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Super Bowl Set Viewership Record at 127.7M, Hints at Fox Streaming Future

The historic figure improves by 3% from last year’s game.
Jan 19, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of San Francisco 49ers logo in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium.

Super Bowl Headed West As NFL Ponders International Future

Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., will host next year’s Super Bowl.

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.

MLB, Nike Unveil New Uniforms, and Yes, Sheer Pants Are Gone

The league and Nike are rolling out expected corrections as camps open.
February 10, 2025

YouTube Golf Goes Pro: Peoples League Joins Creator Competition Boom

A new league is launching for golf content creators.
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver (right) presents Team LeBron guard Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors (30) with the The Kobe Bryant Trophy for being the most valuable player after the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
February 11, 2025

Steph Curry Advised Adam Silver on All-Star Game Format Change

Viewership for the All-Star Game has declined in recent years.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; The 2024 NFL London Games, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears logo on the facade at an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
February 10, 2025

Do NFL Players Want an International Super Bowl?

Players told Front Office Sports where it should be held.
NFL referees have had a tough time this season and work cut out at Super Bowl.
February 10, 2025

How Much Do NFL Refs Make?

Here’s a breakdown of what NFL refs make at football’s highest level.
Mar 27, 2023; Mesa, Arizona, USA; MLB umpire Jose Navas points to the Chicago White Sox dugout in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park.
February 10, 2025

How Much Do MLB Umpires Make?

MLB umpires are among the highest-compensated officials in major North American leagues. 
February 9, 2025

New Orleans Native Lil Wayne Skipping Super Bowl After Kendrick Lamar Scuffle

His disappointment turned into an ad campaign, but he still isn’t attending.