Jerry Jones Dismisses Prospects of NFL Expansion Into Europe

In recent weeks, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly expressed his “no doubt” that the league will eventually place multiple teams abroad — with Europe emerging as the most likely destination. However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains skeptical of that vision taking shape through league expansion.

“I don’t know about an expansion,” Jones said on 105.3 the Fan in Dallas, via Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing. “I see the games continuing like they are. I see the ethos, if you will, of the game, the story of the game really expanding all over the world. But fundamentally, to have an expansion team, probably is pretty far. If it’s here, it’s in the future.”

It remains unclear whether Jones is voicing pessimism about international growth in general or specifically through the addition of new franchises. Without expanding the league, the only path to placing teams in Europe or elsewhere would involve relocating existing clubs — a proposition that presents significant logistical and financial challenges.

Nevertheless, Goodell currently wields more authority than any single owner. If he envisions an international team on the horizon, it would be prudent to take his outlook seriously.

For years, the NFL has floated the possibility of a team in London as part of its efforts to cultivate fan interest there. More recently, the conversation feels less like pandering and more like genuine planning. If it happens, it surely won’t occur overnight. At some point, however, the only way to truly export the passion that American fans feel for the sport will be to give supporters in other countries a local team around which they can rally. London continues to be the most logical starting point, with one team playing home games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the other at Wembley Stadium.

Since the merger in 1970, the NFL has not experienced a significant increase in teams at one time. Two were added in 1976 (Buccaneers and Seahawks). Two more were added in 1995 (Jaguars and Panthers). The Browns returned in 1999 after the original Browns became the Ravens, and the Texans rounded out the league at 32 in 2002.

Twenty-four years later, the NFL is in the longest stretch in league history without the addition of a new franchise. At some point, it will grow. When it does, two new teams in London make the most sense.

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