NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Eyes More International Games, Possible Overseas Franchise

According to CNBC, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is taking a long-term view on media, labor, international expansion and stadiums as it prepares for its first-ever regular-season game in Australia, with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams set to kick off Thursday night at 8:35 pm ET in Melbourne. Goodell, who earlier this month signed a four-year contract extension through March 2031, said the NFL plans to play nine games outside the U.S. in 2026 and 10 international contests in 2027, while the league's current collective bargaining agreement caps overseas games at 10. He also said he can envision an NFL with multiple teams based in Europe and eventually a permanent franchise outside the U.S., though he gave no timeline. Goodell said the league is working to expand global media exposure, noting that Netflix has the global broadcast rights to the 49ers-Rams game.