The NFL is preparing for one of the most ambitious transformations in its recent history. In an era where business and globalization dictate every step, the league’s owners put on the table a proposal that could redefine the calendar and the international presence of what is already, without question, one of the most dominant television products in world sport.
The owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraftsparked the conversation this Tuesday from Gillette Stadium during his participation in the radio program The Sports Hub. In his speech, Kraft revealed that the NFL is officially considering expanding the regular season of 17 to 18 games and deepen its commitment to international expansion.
“I want to tell you that we are going to do our best to make international matches more important for us. All teams would be playing 18 games regular season and two preseason, eliminating one of them, and all the teams “They will play at least one game abroad.”explained Robert Kraft.
This movement does not come from nowhere. The NFL has placed 93 of its matches among the 100 most watched programs on television American, consolidating its absolute dominance of the audience for much of the football year. Kraft used that strength as an argument to justify the expansion: “Imagine the amount of public we have compared to other sports”he noted, emphasizing the economic and media potential of a longer season.
But it is not a unilateral decision: any modification to the calendar must first go through the Players Association (NFLPA) and, later, by the vote of the team owners. This is, without a doubt, the main obstacle on the way. The NFLPA has shown skepticism and resistance to the idea of more parties, citing legitimate concerns about the player safety and well-beingwhose physical wear and tear is already the subject of debate even with 17 games.
Beyond American borders, the league seeks to consolidate its global presence. The NFL International Series (that has seen regular seasons played in London, Mexico City, Germany, Brazil and soon Australia) could become a strategic pillar of the new calendar. This strategy not only embraces new markets, but also reinforces the NFL brand in territories where American football is an expanding sport.
Isaac Fontana
For sports followers, the debate is served. Do more games mean more excitement or wear and tear on the stars that make the league great? Can a greater global presence translate into a more valuable product for everyone involved, from sponsors to casual fans? The NFL, with its giant marketing and television machine, is in a hurry to find that answer. But like any great move, this one has risks and critics.
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The truth is that the game is changing: 18 games, trips abroad and a season that could extend beyond imagination. And as the league moves toward its next big television contract and a new labor agreement in 2031, the question is no longer whether the NFL will evolve… but how and when will it be done.
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