Tonight at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC, the Seattle Seahawks will be taking on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60.
The Seahawks and the Patriots are the last two teams standing out of all 32 NFL teams. There have been rumors that the league will continue to expand, and during an interview, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered his thoughts on the possibility of adding more teams.
What Were Roger Goodell’s Interesting Thoughts on NFL Expansion?
Prior to the Super Bowl, NFL Films and Westwood One narrator and host Scott Graham discussed the possibility of the NFL expanding to more teams, especially amid rumors of an 18-game regular season. In response, Goodell had the following to say:
“Well, you can think of expansion as the number of teams, or you can think of expansion as us playing in international markets and reaching different areas, and expansion banning our international series.
“I think as far as teams are concerned, I think at some point, if our international growth continues the way it is, I can see international growth on an international basis. And in some of these markets, which, they’re undoubtedly even today, I think there are cities out there that could support an NFL team. We’re at the early stages, so I don’t take international expansion off the table, I think it’s very possible someday.”
NFL expansion?
Our @ScottWipeout asks @nflcommish in our #SBLX interview – airing later today during our #SuperBowl coverage. pic.twitter.com/7RKwaJwBG7— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) February 8, 2026
Although expanding the NFL with international teams may seem enticing, it no doubt offers logistical problems. For example, distance/time zones and scheduling are just a few of the league’s issues. Perhaps a team in Canada could make sense; after all, the NBA pulls it off with the Toronto Raptors. Maybe even a team in South America, but a team in Europe would be pushing it.
Additionally, it’s hard to argue that international markets deserve NFL teams when there are plenty of suitable candidates already in the United States, which won’t pose the problems that an international team might. For example, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Portland, and San Antonio are all possible candidates.
St. Louis has already shown it can support an NFL team, given that the Los Angeles Rams returned to Los Angeles only in 2016. Meanwhile, Salt Lake City, Portland, and San Antonio are all sports cities, and none of them has an NFL team. Considering they’re pretty committed to their other in-state organizations, they’d no doubt support a new football team.
