Roger Goodell sees NFL becoming 'very global' over next decade

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sees the league becoming much more global over the next decade.

This, likely, won’t come as a surprise to most people. The NFL has made its interest in foreign markets clear, with games in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico in recent years. That includes 10 international games in the last two seasons. Clearly, the goal is to expand awareness of the league.

“I am convinced that this game is going to be a global sport,” Goodell said, “We could’ve sold over our two games in Germany 4.5 million tickets. They sold out in minutes. And it’s literally the same with the U.K. I think you’re going to see a very global NFL, not necessarily with franchises, but maybe like have one playing games on a global basis. And I see that happening in the next five to 10 years.”

Along with the United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico, in the past, Canada, Ireland, China, Japan, Australia, Spain, and Sweden have all hosted NFL games. Soon, the NFL is planning on returning to Spain and having games in Brazil.

“We’re really excited about that,” Goodell said. “I don’t see that as much as expanding the number of franchises as I do expanding the opportunity for people to really just enjoy the game.”

This all is coming after Goodell suggested the NFL could add another international location by 2024.

“We actually have three or four markets that are here this weekend and next weekend that are interested in hosting a game,” Goodell said while in London.

At this point, the NFL has an incredible hold of the sports market within the United States. However, the global market is still there for the league to claim. So, it does make sense that the NFL is looking globally in the next decade, even if there’s still debate about the possibility of an international team working.

Roger Goodell on calls for NFL to switch to grass fields

The NFL has seen calls to switch from turf to grass fields, largely on the base that it’s easier to get injured on turf. However, grass is harder to maintain, especially in colder climates. However, this is a call that Roger Goodell has pushed back on.

“You have other players who like playing on the turf field, because it’s faster. So you’ve got mixed opinions,” Goodell said, via First Take.

“What we want to go on is science, we want to go on what’s the best from an injury standpoint. That’s how we make decisions, not because I see an injury that I don’t like. Ultimately, I want our experts to come back and give it to us.”