ROGER Goodell wants the NFL to be ‘global’ and named three potential new locations to host a game.
The commissioner wants to reach new audiences after an explosion of interest this year sparked by Taylor Swift.
Roger Goodell (right) with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (left) at the Chicago Bears vs Jacksonville Jaguars game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on Sunday[/caption]
Taylor Swift’s presence at NFL games has led to new audiences watching football[/caption]
Goodell was speaking in London this weekend ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars taking on the Chicago Bears.
London has hosted games since 2007 and has three this season.
NFL is also returning to Germany in 2024 for the fourth time in three years.
And there was a game in Sao Paulo, Brazil in Week 1 between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
The NFL has already confirmed a game in Madrid, Spain next year and will likely return to Mexico City after it has hosted the 2026 World Cup.
The league is reaching more fans than ever – and this year’s Super Bowl was the most watched ever in the United States.
Viewing figures were boosted by music icon Swift’s mega fan base tuning in as she cheered on Kansas City Chiefs star boyfriend Travis Kelce.
And when asked about where he would like to play a game, Goodell said, “It’s a variety of issues, we look at everything.
“The stadiums are important, but do we have a strong fan base there?
“What’s our media coverage? What are the other facilities like hotels and travel?
“Our goal is to be a global sport.
“We want our game played on a global basis and we want to bring our game to a global audience.”
Goodell revealed that Rio de Janeiro could replace Sao Paulo for the Brazil game.
He also named locations in Asia to potentially host games.
And he confirmed the NFL would be headed to Ireland soon, given the Pittsburgh Steelers’ interest.
London calling
The New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings kick off the NFL’s annual run of London fixtures.
New York and Minnesota face off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday October 6 at 2.30pm local time – 9.30am ET for fans back home in America.
It is the first of three straight NFL Sundays that begin with an early game live from London.
The following week, Tottenham also plays host to the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Chicago Bears.
And on October 20, the Jags will head across town to Wembley Stadium to take on the New England Patriots.
“We’re looking at markets we’d like to be in,” Goodell said.
“I have no doubt we will be playing in Ireland.
“I don’t know if it’ll be next year but it’s coming soon.
“I know the Steelers really want to go there.”
“We’re looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia.
“There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
Goodell hopes to increase the number of international games to eight very quickly.
But his ultimate goal is for 16 games to be played on the global stage.
London has three of the five international games this year[/caption]
Sao Paulo, Brazil hosted a Week 1 clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers[/caption]
That does not, as of yet, include any plans to send the Super Bowl overseas.
“If we do expand our season to 18 regular-season games, I see us going to 16 of those in international markets.
“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.
“But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”
