The NFL has moved countless games to other countries, but an international Super Bowl always seemed off limits.
However, the tone of that conversation changes.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about the possibility of a Super Bowl being played outside the United States, and it sounded like a real possibility.
“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city — that was always kind of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” Goodell said, via the Associated Press. “But things are changing. It wouldn’t surprise me if that ever happens.”
The NFL has continued to encourage international games, but the softening of its attitude toward a Super Bowl played abroad is new.
Who could host an international Super Bowl?
A Super Bowl played in another country won’t happen again for a while. The next three Super Bowls will all have a host. New Orleans, the Bay Area and Los Angeles get the next three games.
If the Super Bowl is ever played outside the United States, London seems the most likely option. The NFL has been hosting regular season games in London for many seasons, and a world-class venue like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium clearly meets the standard for hosting a Super Bowl. The NFL has played a game in London each of the last two weeks and has another game scheduled for this week.
There will probably be a backlash. Hosting a Super Bowl is big business and that’s a big reason why everyone has been to an established NFL city. A regular host city like New Orleans or Miami doesn’t want to lose that revenue to London or anywhere else.
But the NFL wants to grow the game internationally, and a Super Bowl abroad would be a big step.
NFL continues to expand globally
As part of Goodell’s comments this weekend, he mentioned his plan to play 16 international matches per season if the regular season is expanded to 18 matches. That would give each team one international match. He also said that Ireland and Rio de Janeiro are likely to host matches soon.
The NFL has been working on its global expansion for some time now. This year, Brazil hosted a Week 1 match between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, the first time South America has hosted a match.
Almost every year the NFL adds to its international portfolio, whether it means more games in England or giving games to other countries. The next logical step to push the boundaries would be a Super Bowl in London, although there would be a lot of opposition.
It doesn’t matter. The NFL wants to grow the game internationally because it sees that as a way to grow its revenue. Now that Goodell has said he wouldn’t be surprised at all if a Super Bowl were played abroad, it’s probably inevitable.
