The National Football League regular season expanded to 17 games per team starting in 2021, up from 16.[1] League officials and the NFL Players Association continue to discuss adding an 18th regular-season game.[2]
The NFL has expanded internationally, hosting games in London since 2007, Munich since 2022 and Sao Paulo in 2024.[3] Further growth is planned, with Australia among targeted markets for 2025.[4]
Accessing all games requires multiple subscription services, raising costs for fans. Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman addressed these changes in interviews with Fox News Digital.
"I'm all about having games on mainstream," Gronkowski said. "I actually didn't watch plenty of games this year because it was on a streaming network, and it was difficult to make an account real quick." He acknowledged the business rationale: "You gotta keep it growing, you gotta get the money and all that good stuff."
Edelman echoed concerns over fragmented viewing: "It sucks ... There's pros to this thing and then there's definitely cons where everyone has to go, 'Where are we going for this game?'"
Both players noted benefits for athletes amid expansion. Edelman said: "Do you see what these guys are signing for? They'll be all right." He added that international growth could boost revenues and salaries. Gronkowski highlighted scheduling for an Australia game: "It's going to be the opening game ... they can fly back to L.A. and then boom, they land and they gain a day back."
The NFL salary cap has risen annually, reaching $255.4 million for 2024, up $30.4 million from 2023.[1]
Sources
- NFL.com
2024 NFL salary cap announced at $255.4 million, up $30 million from 2023
February 28, 2024
https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-salary-cap-announced-at-255-4-million-up-30-million-from-2023 - ESPN
Sources: NFL, NFLPA to discuss 18-game season
October 28, 2024
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41697851/sources-nfl-nflpa-discuss-18-game-season - NFL.com
International Games
Accessed November 2024
https://www.nfl.com/international/ - The Athletic
NFL international games: Australia, Spain on 2025 target list, per sources
October 31, 2024
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5831230/2024/10/31/nfl-international-games-australia-spain/
