18-game proposal advances in NFL with focus on global expansion and mandatory games abroad

The National Football League (NFL) is evaluating a significant restructuring of its calendar for the upcoming seasons. The proposal, detailed by the owner of New England Patriots,

The change is part of a broader strategy to consolidate American football as a sport with global reach. Além of the extra game, the plan includes reducing the preseason from three to just two games, maintaining the total limit of 20 matches per team before the playoffs. The idea is to replace a low-revenue preparatory game with a regular season game, which generates much higher audience and revenue.

Kraft highlighted that internationalization is a central pillar of discussions among franchise owners. The objective is that, soon, all 32 teams in the league will play at least one match per year outside the Estados Unidos, transforming international games into a fixed and mandatory part of the annual schedule.

The strategy behind global expansion

The NFL’s vision for the foreign market is ambitious and has Brasil as one of its main focuses. Após the success of the match held in São Paulo, the league has already confirmed a new event on national territory, with Rio of The intention of the management led by commissioner

The financial impact and the salary cap

The main driver of the 18-game proposal is the need to create new sources of revenue to support the continued growth of the player salary cap. Robert Kraft highlighted the absolute dominance of the NFL on American television, with 93 of the 100 highest-rated programs last year being league games. Esse massive engagement attracts billion-dollar broadcast contracts, which are directly used to calculate the teams’ salary cap, ensuring the league’s financial competitiveness.

To maintain what Kraft describes as “labor peace,” it is crucial that revenues increase in proportion to athletes’ financial demands. The current structure is approaching a limit that requires new revenue fronts so that the casts remain satisfied and contracts continue to be readjusted. Swapping a preseason game for a regular season game is seen as the most efficient and profitable solution to guarantee this long-term financial balance.

Players association opposition

Despite clear interest from owners, the transition to an 18-game season faces strong resistance from the Associação of Jogadores of the NFL (NFLPA). The union’s main concern is the increase in physical exhaustion and the risk of injuries for athletes.

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Collective agreement negotiations on the agenda

Any change to the season format requires a renegotiation of Acordo of Negociação Coletiva (CBA), the contract that governs labor relations in the league. The current agreement is valid until March 2030, but the owners intend to start conversations for an addition as soon as possible.

Discussions are expected to address complex topics, such as the inclusion of a second bye week for each team and the implementation of enhanced recovery and safety protocols for players.

Patriots’s focus on the conference final

While discussions about the league’s future take place behind the scenes, the Robert Kraft team focuses on a defining moment in the current season. New England Patriots is preparing to face Denver Broncos this Sunday, January 25th, in the Conferência Americana (AFC) final.

The match, which will be played at Denver, will define one of the finalists of the Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8th at Califórnia. The team led by coach Mike Vrabel arrives with a solid campaign of 16 wins and 3 losses.

The biggest highlight of the Patriots has been second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, whose performance has exceeded all expectations. Do On the other hand, Denver Broncos faces the challenge of playing with reserve Jarrett Stidham, who took over the starting line-up after a serious ankle injury to Bo Nix.

The future of the league on the field and in business

The sporting success of influential franchises like the Patriots reinforces the negotiating power of their owners in the NFL’s strategic decisions. An eventual victory in Denver and classification for Super Bowl would further consolidate Kraft’s position.

If they win the title, Massachusetts’s team will be able to isolate themselves as the team with the most trophies in the modern era, surpassing Pittsburgh Steelers.

This type of on-field dominance directly fuels the league’s ability to expand its brand into international markets, where the Patriots already have a strong global appeal.

The proposed changes reflect a long-term vision to transform the NFL from a predominantly American league into a global sports powerhouse in the coming decades.

Next steps for change

The 18-game proposal will be formally discussed at upcoming owners meetings. Embora implementation is not immediate, pressure to begin negotiations with the NFLPA is expected to increase in the coming months, signaling a new era for professional American football.