### NFL Commissioner Considers International Expansion Amid Positive Feedback on New Kickoff Rules

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that recent changes to kickoff rules are largely successful but anticipate minor adjustments in the offseason. According to Goodell, the new rules have revived the significance of kickoffs and have shown early promising data on reducing injuries. This season, over 30% of kickoffs have been returned compared to just 20% the previous year.

“With this increase in returns, we are obtaining valuable data to see if we can enhance safety in the play,” Goodell mentioned at a fan forum in London before the game between the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars. He noted that the average starting position for kickoff drives is now just past the 29-yard line, an improvement from the previous starting point just past the 24-yard line.

Goodell outlined potential tweaks, such as moving the kickoff line back or increasing the penalty for kicking out of bounds. He highlighted the excitement generated by the possibility of a long kickoff return, which has already occurred four or five times by Week 6 this season, matching last year's total.

Beyond improving kickoff safety, Goodell discussed the NFL's vision of growing the game internationally. He has previously dismissed the notion of hosting a Super Bowl outside the United States, but he now sees it as a possibility. “Traditionally, the Super Bowl been hosted by NFL cities as a reward for having a franchise, but things change,” he said, hinting at future global opportunities.

This expansion could be supported by an increase in international games if the regular season extends to 18 games. Currently, the NFL plans up to eight international games a year, but Goodell aims to double this, allowing each of the 32 teams to participate in an international game annually. He mentioned potential hosts including Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, and expanded games in London.

The NFL has held three international games this season, with a fourth scheduled soon. Adding more international games would require reducing preseason games from four to two, and possibly adding a second bye week. Goodell envisions a regular NFL season that runs from Labor Day to Presidents Day, making the transition to an 18-game season seem inevitable, with players’ union openness to negotiating this change by 2030.

Next year's Super Bowl will be in New Orleans, and future venues include Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The recent Super Bowl, featuring Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime win over San Francisco, became the most-watched program in U.S. television history. Goodell expressed confidence that Dublin will soon host a game after Madrid, slated for its first game in 2025. He also sees Rio de Janeiro as a potential host in Brazil following a game in Sao Paulo this season.

Expanding beyond Europe, Goodell hinted at exploring markets in Asia, noting there’s more interest than the league can currently manage.