Goodell: NFL plans to play in Australia “long term”

[EssexBill]

4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

 

And trust me if you are just a novelty fan it is priced in such a way that you'd only go for the novelty once 🤣

You’re not wrong there!

 

I know a few match going English football fans and they don’t like the amount of daytrippers that seem to be at premier league games nowadays, so it’s not an exclusively American NFL fan thing to not like what they see as casual fans. 
 

To go back to the discussion regarding people participating in something makes it more popular, can’t remember who said it and I wouldn’t disgree entirely but if you see the crowds at boxing matches (like Tottenham was sold out this past weekend for Tyson Fury) I’d say that most people have never boxed in any country but it also doesn’t stop it’s popularity around the world, the NFL just had so much competition in this part of the world which makes more of a difference than kids playing it imo 

[GunnerBill]

8 minutes ago, Brand J said:

Yeah, I didn’t mean to discredit the fans in a way that would suggest they’re not knowledgeable about what they’re watching, or that they’re just there because it’s something to do. My main point was that to have a truly passionate fanbase watching the sport, the jerseys would have to start dwindling down from 32 teams to 2 and given all the various factors at play - including money - that’s not likely. Thats what I meant by categorizing the event and their fans as a novelty one, not a rabid matchup. 

 

I'm not sure I buy that theory personally. International series games are never going to be that. But I don't think that makes them a novelty. They are a different atmosphere and a different vibe. In the same way the Superbowl is a very different vibe because of the corporate tickets. Personally, if the NFL was to stick at 17 games (it won't) my answer would be to create a schedule where every team plays 1 international series game per year along with 8 home and 8 road. 

4 minutes ago, EssexBill said:

You’re not wrong there!

 

I know a few match going English football fans and they don’t like the amount of daytrippers that seem to be at premier league games nowadays, so it’s not an exclusively American NFL fan thing to not like what they see as casual fans. 

 

I go to the Emirates 14 or 15 times a season. And yep, it's part of the experience now - the daytripper fan. It's globalisation. It isn't going away. These clubs are massive international institutions. It's pointless being bothered by it. Might as well shout at clouds. 

Edited April 13 by GunnerBill

[EssexBill]

8 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I'm generally am completely the opposite. I don't think you can beat live sport, personally. I suppose I am just more used to consuming the NFL via a screen because I do try and prioritise Bills games when considering going to international series NFL.... but when it comes to the Premier League.... if I'm not at the Emirates on a Saturday afternoon I'd rather be at Barking in the Essex Senior League than sat at home watching on tv. 

Ah now you’re taking grass roots football I agree I’d go and watch my local team rather than a premier league game.

 

Live sport is great you’re right, and I’ve been to a few MMA events over the years which are fun but that’s sport for individuals so doesn’t have the tribal element like team sports, I’m a bit of a caveman when it comes to that I guess 😂

6 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I'm not sure I buy that theory personally. International series games are never going to be that. But I don't think that makes them a novelty. They are a different atmosphere and a different vibe. In the same way the Superbowl is a very different vibe because of the corporate tickets. Personally, if the NFL was to stick at 17 games (it won't) my answer would be to create a schedule where every team plays 1 international series game per year along with 8 home and 8 road. 

 

I go to the Emirates 14 or 15 times a season. And yep, it's part of the experience now - the daytripper fan. It's globalisation. It isn't going away. These clubs are massive international institutions. It's pointless being bothered by it. Might as well shout at clouds. 

Some might say the daytipper fan improves the atmosphere at the emirates, but not me 😗😁

Edited April 13 by EssexBill

[Mr. WEO]

54 minutes ago, Brand J said:

I’m sorry, did I ever argue the NFL hasn’t grown in the UK after 20 years of sending teams over there? Of course it has! Thats true for all these countries, even if the numbers are paltry relative to the international sports watching public, sorry if that hurts your feelings. The stands are filled with novelty fans rather than passionate ones. All those team jerseys you see watching the Jags and the Texans kickoff at 9:30 EST will miss a portion of “their” games by the time they get out of that stadium and back home, or to the pub. And they probably don’t care.

 

Did you see the numbers I referenced earlier? The Super Bowl was the 6th most watched sporting event in the world, trailing the 5th place Women’s World Cup by over 60 million. 60 million. 60,000,000 more people watched the Women’s World Cup globally than they did the Super Bowl and you’re talking about 3 million viewers in the UK 😂

 

Having an international fanbase that competes with the most watched sporting events in the world isn’t the NFL’s “cherry on the top,” it’s their mission. It’s why we’re sending teams to so many countries. They want passionate fans that will follow and support an NFL team. You know, like they do futbol and like we do here in the US. Until something shifts - globally - that enables the game to grow on that scale, it’s simply a little added pocket change. Don’t know why that’s so difficult for you to grasp.

 

Do "novelty fans" pay less for game tickets?  Streaming subscriptions? After how many decades of buying and watching are they no longer a "novelty"?  If the viewership has grown for 20 years with just "novelty fans", how is that not a massive win for the NFL---20 years later still filling the stands with the just curious points to a solid business play on the NFL's part (I think your characterization of them as not passionate after all these years is something you just made up).

 

And what's the point in mentioning that World Cup Soccer has more viewers than the SB?  So what?  You've conceded that the NFL has grown in "all of these countries"---and this growth is a reason the NFL should walk away?  That's some outside the box thinking!

 

You're now saying that the NFL should simply not enter a market with 4 million (or 24 million in Mexico) new viewers--because it's not 3 billion?  They should leave that money on the table.  Is that how billion dollar businesses operate and grow wherever you are from?  I don't even know what your argument is at this point.  They should stop testing international markets to make more money....because there's not enough money to be made there--like it's a bad business model?  Or it's just fundamentally wrong because.....something something Friday night lights?  Because football will never be as dominant globally as it is in the US, the NFL shouldn't even bother with these games?

 

How do you think your "special" insight into international sports promotion and broadcasting would go over in an NFL owners meeting?  Tell us all what your pitch to them would be.  I'm very interested in hearing how you would explain that they are wasting their time.

[Brand J]

46 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Do "novelty fans" pay less for game tickets?  Streaming subscriptions? After how many decades of buying and watching are they no longer a "novelty"?  If the viewership has grown for 20 years with just "novelty fans", how is that not a massive win for the NFL---20 years later still filling the stands with the just curious points to a solid business play on the NFL's part (I think your characterization of them as not passionate after all these years is something you just made up).

 

And what's the point in mentioning that World Cup Soccer has more viewers than the SB?  So what?  You've conceded that the NFL has grown in "all of these countries"---and this growth is a reason the NFL should walk away?  That's some outside the box thinking!

 

You're now saying that the NFL should simply not enter a market with 4 million (or 24 million in Mexico) new viewers--because it's not 3 billion?  They should leave that money on the table.  Is that how billion dollar businesses operate and grow wherever you are from?  I don't even know what your argument is at this point.  They should stop testing international markets to make more money....because there's not enough money to be made there--like it's a bad business model?  Or it's just fundamentally wrong because.....something something Friday night lights?  Because football will never be as dominant globally as it is in the US, the NFL shouldn't even bother with these games?

 

How do you think your "special" insight into international sports promotion and broadcasting would go over in an NFL owners meeting?  Tell us all what your pitch to them would be.  I'm very interested in hearing how you would explain that they are wasting their time.

Actually I’m not sure what your argument is, seeing as how you’re now putting words in my mouth, making points I’ve never made. You’ve lost the plot. I said the NFL wants to globalize the game; their mission isn’t simply to add a few million viewers here or there, it’s to compete with the highest rated sporting events in the world. Their actions are telling you that’s what they want as they send teams literally worldwide. The fat cats wish to be exponentially fatter. Duh.

These international games are pocket change in terms of what the NFL pulls in domestically, but I didn’t say added money isn’t good money. Of course it is. I merely told you, countless times, that to grow the sport to a level that would enable the league to compete with those higher rated sports, there needs to be a shift in how those audiences support the game. That’s the plot. I suggested global participation, making the game more accessible for their youths, but that’s only one possibility.
 

As much as I’d like the NFL to play all their games on American soil, they shouldn’t stop sending teams internationally if doing so makes them more money, even if that’s $1 in net profits. No one in this entire thread suggested what you wrote at any point in time.

[T master]

Greed has ruined a lot of things that were really good at one time in this country & some of the most simple things in life are the best ! It might be good to play some games in other countries even though I won't be watching them but if they start to add to many teams all over that will eventually over saturate people & the popularity will suffer for it all because of greed !! 

[BUFFALOBART]

On 4/11/2026 at 11:45 AM, Don Otreply said:

Sadly all corporations operate as if money is their God 

You are on to something, here....

[ColoradoBills]

7 hours ago, Briscoe89 said:

I live in Melbourne.  They sold 90,000 tickets in under 30 minutes when they went on general sale at an average price of around $400 per ticket.  It’s all about the $$$…

 

 

That is like $36M in ticket sales.  What I'm curious about is the TV in Australia.  Will this game be on TV there?

If so, what station/streaming service.  While the ticket sales of $36M is nice, here in the US the real money is made on TV sales.

 

Thanks again for your input on the situation.

[Royale with Cheese]

Why can't we keep this an American sport?

[WotAGuy]

7 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Why can't we keep this an American sport?

Merica!!!

Edited April 13 by WotAGuy

[Mr. WEO]

4 hours ago, Brand J said:

Actually I’m not sure what your argument is, seeing as how you’re now putting words in my mouth, making points I’ve never made. You’ve lost the plot. I said the NFL wants to globalize the game; their mission isn’t simply to add a few million viewers here or there, it’s to compete with the highest rated sporting events in the world. Their actions are telling you that’s what they want as they send teams literally worldwide. The fat cats wish to be exponentially fatter. Duh.

These international games are pocket change in terms of what the NFL pulls in domestically, but I didn’t say added money isn’t good money. Of course it is. I merely told you, countless times, that to grow the sport to a level that would enable the league to compete with those higher rated sports, there needs to be a shift in how those audiences support the game. That’s the plot. I suggested global participation, making the game more accessible for their youths, but that’s only one possibility.
 

As much as I’d like the NFL to play all their games on American soil, they shouldn’t stop sending teams internationally if doing so makes them more money, even if that’s $1 in net profits. No one in this entire thread suggested what you wrote at any point in time.

 

"To grow the game overseas, interest has to start with the younger generation, not current adults who have zero connection to the sport."

 

 

 

The NFL is betting you're wrong.  So far they are right.  Exposure to their product itself IS their growth model.  They aren't trying to supplant Premier League--because, well that would make no sense. That's where you keep getting it wrong--they don't want to compete with that league for viewers....because they don't have to!  They are selling a product unique to all of those countries.  You might not be aware that sports fans can follow more than one professional sports league perhaps.  they will happily take a slice of that market---and they certainly don't need to wait until some "organic" youth football movement to get there.  Youth soccer in this country is mainly for little kids--US college and pro soccer are afterthoughts.  Yet PL and world cup are hugely popular--not because the viewers played HS soccer or whatever--they just like to watch the highest level of play in a popular sport.  This is what the NFL is offering,.

 

"We appreciate the NFL in the states, even if we haven’t played ourselves because we grew up watching".  This is becoming true in the UK.  You insinuated  that the NFL popularity growth is stunted by the lack of younger viewers (or that it cannot grow significantly without it--I can't tell which), yet they are the demographic driving increases in viewership.

 

NBA is a global sport and UK youth leagues showed a 65% growth increase  since 2018, there is a university basketball culture that has developed.  Yet despite all of this globalization and youth participation, NBA viewership has seen gains of 40% since 2019.  7% of Europeans watch NBA games despite games being televised in the UK (for instance) for over 30 years.  So globalization, youth participation has not resulted in major gains in NBA viewerships.  If anything,  various European leagues are taking viewership away as a result of the popularity of home grown teams/leagues. 

 

The NFL does not need youth leagues or the Friday night lights to establish grotwh--this much is certain.  All they need is accessible product and betting apps--not Pop Warner ball.

[GunnerBill]

13 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

"To grow the game overseas, interest has to start with the younger generation, not current adults who have zero connection to the sport."

 

 

 

The NFL is betting you're wrong.  So far they are right.  Exposure to their product itself IS their growth model.  They aren't trying to supplant Premier League--because, well that would make no sense. That's where you keep getting it wrong--they don't want to compete with that league for viewers....because they don't have to!  They are selling a product unique to all of those countries.  You might not be aware that sports fans can follow more than one professional sports league perhaps.  they will happily take a slice of that market---and they certainly don't need to wait until some "organic" youth football movement to get there.  Youth soccer in this country is mainly for little kids--US college and pro soccer are afterthoughts.  Yet PL and world cup are hugely popular--not because the viewers played HS soccer or whatever--they just like to watch the highest level of play in a popular sport.  This is what the NFL is offering,.

 

"We appreciate the NFL in the states, even if we haven’t played ourselves because we grew up watching".  This is becoming true in the UK.  You insinuated  that the NFL popularity growth is stunted by the lack of younger viewers (or that it cannot grow significantly without it--I can't tell which), yet they are the demographic driving increases in viewership.

 

NBA is a global sport and UK youth leagues showed a 65% growth increase  since 2018, there is a university basketball culture that has developed.  Yet despite all of this globalization and youth participation, NBA viewership has seen gains of 40% since 2019.  7% of Europeans watch NBA games despite games being televised in the UK (for instance) for over 30 years.  So globalization, youth participation has not resulted in major gains in NBA viewerships.  If anything,  various European leagues are taking viewership away as a result of the popularity of home grown teams/leagues. 

 

The NFL does not need youth leagues or the Friday night lights to establish grotwh--this much is certain.  All they need is accessible product and betting apps--not Pop Warner ball.

 

And actually the proof in the pudding for your point is NFL Europe. The Germans stuck with it for a bit but after two season basically nobody else watched. They tried giving the teams cultural identity.... the product sucked. The reason the international games are as popular as ever here in London is because the fans know they are seeing the best of the best (and the Jags 🤣). 

 

That is the flip side of fans not being so tribal. They are more excited to just see the best of the best, the chance to see a Tom Brady play, or a Matthew Stafford, or a DeAndre Hopkins in the flesh than a fan who just cares about their team.

[Mr. WEO]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

And actually the proof in the pudding for your point is NFL Europe. The Germans stuck with it for a bit but after two season basically nobody else watched. They tried giving the teams cultural identity.... the product sucked. The reason the international games are as popular as ever here in London is because the fans know they are seeing the best of the best (and the Jags 🤣). 

 

That is the flip side of fans not being so tribal. They are more excited to just see the best of the best, the chance to see a Tom Brady play, or a Matthew Stafford, or a DeAndre Hopkins in the flesh than a fan who just cares about their team.

Agreed.  32 jerseys in one game is what the NFL wants to see right now.

 

At least the Jags may now be giving them their money’s worth now lol

[BUFFALOBART]

1 hour ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Why can't we keep this an American sport?

"World Champions!" 

[Bad Things]

Even though I live Down Under in NZ, I absolutely hate anll of this international expansion crap. Just keep the NFL in the USA, and let the local fans (Season ticket holders) watch their team. 
 

Not sure how things are in Aussie, but the vast majority of Kiwis don’t give a second thought to American Football. 

Edited April 13 by Bad Things

[Briscoe89]

2 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

That is like $36M in ticket sales.  What I'm curious about is the TV in Australia.  Will this game be on TV there?

If so, what station/streaming service.  While the ticket sales of $36M is nice, here in the US the real money is made on TV sales.

 

Thanks again for your input on the situation.

Not sure on the TV side of it.  Typically in Australia the Thursday night U.S games are only available via paid ESPN or DAZN access, I’d assume there’s be a restriction on showing it free to air in order to protect the ticket sales side of it 

[Urban Achievers]

[Brand J]

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

"To grow the game overseas, interest has to start with the younger generation, not current adults who have zero connection to the sport."

 

 

 

The NFL is betting you're wrong.  So far they are right.  Exposure to their product itself IS their growth model.  They aren't trying to supplant Premier League--because, well that would make no sense. That's where you keep getting it wrong--they don't want to compete with that league for viewers....because they don't have to!  They are selling a product unique to all of those countries.  You might not be aware that sports fans can follow more than one professional sports league perhaps.  they will happily take a slice of that market---and they certainly don't need to wait until some "organic" youth football movement to get there.  Youth soccer in this country is mainly for little kids--US college and pro soccer are afterthoughts.  Yet PL and world cup are hugely popular--not because the viewers played HS soccer or whatever--they just like to watch the highest level of play in a popular sport.  This is what the NFL is offering,.

 

"We appreciate the NFL in the states, even if we haven’t played ourselves because we grew up watching".  This is becoming true in the UK.  You insinuated  that the NFL popularity growth is stunted by the lack of younger viewers (or that it cannot grow significantly without it--I can't tell which), yet they are the demographic driving increases in viewership.

 

NBA is a global sport and UK youth leagues showed a 65% growth increase  since 2018, there is a university basketball culture that has developed.  Yet despite all of this globalization and youth participation, NBA viewership has seen gains of 40% since 2019.  7% of Europeans watch NBA games despite games being televised in the UK (for instance) for over 30 years.  So globalization, youth participation has not resulted in major gains in NBA viewerships.  If anything,  various European leagues are taking viewership away as a result of the popularity of home grown teams/leagues. 

 

The NFL does not need youth leagues or the Friday night lights to establish grotwh--this much is certain.  All they need is accessible product and betting apps--not Pop Warner ball.

Again, you’re kidding yourself if you think the NFL’s globalization effort isn’t meant to grow the sport on a much larger scale. Goodell and all 32 owners would tell you they’d LOVE to bring in the numbers the top 5 sports produce. They’d love to challenge for the #1 overall spot, even if it’s a fallacy and will never happen. There’s already plenty of money in the NFL, but the money that sort of viewership would bring is akin to comparing Terry Pegula’s pockets to Elon Musk’s. Who wouldn’t want that? That’s their goal, even if they’re likely to never achieve it. All 32 owners would tell you they want many more Super Bowl viewers than the 20M they currently pull outside of North America. 

[NoSaint]

On 4/10/2026 at 1:10 PM, DJB said:

I hate the NFL pushing the European and other continent games . 
 

Keep it in the USA where it belongs and not be so money hungry for the owners 

yup. Get tv deals. Push “local” teams for various markets. 
 

quit putting regular season games there. 
 

honestly if they move the Super Bowl overseas I’ll probably tune out for good. Already exhausting seeing the championship game be sooooo commercialized and off rhythm with the pregame and halftime etc… if it’s also in Europe - count me out.

[EssexBill]

6 hours ago, Brand J said:

All 32 owners would tell you they want many more Super Bowl viewers than the 20M they currently pull outside of North America. 

Easy fix for that one - kick off a bit earlier so it’s not around midnight in the UK/Western Europe, it’s 6.30pm EST so would a couple of hours earlier matter to US fans? Honest question, it’s a tradition to start at that time so would it bother people that much if it changed?

Edited April 14 by EssexBill