Roger Goodell On The NFL’s Australia Debut And Global Expansion

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  September 14, 2026 at 13:50  |  16:06  |  CNBC
Speakers
Roger Goodell — NFL Commissioner
Alex Sherman — CNBC Media and Sports Reporter

Summary

CNBC's Alex Sherman interviews NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about his new contract, the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia, and the league's global expansion strategy. Goodell discusses plans to grow international games, the possibility of an international franchise, media-rights optionality, an eventual 18-game season, and sports betting and prediction-market regulation. He emphasizes league health and rising team valuations but provides no direct public-market investment thesis.

  • Roger Goodell signed a four-year extension running through March 2031.
  • The NFL will play 10 international games next year and could eventually expand toward 16.
  • Goodell sees a non-U.S. franchise as possible someday but says expansion is not first on the league's list.
  • NFL team valuations rose 35% year over year, and Goodell says investor demand remains strong.
  • The NFL holds a media-rights opt-out after the 2029 season and is evaluating repackaging and new partners.
  • Goodell says the league needs stronger prediction-market regulation before partnering with Kalshi or Polymarket.
  • Goodell says an 18-game season will be addressed in CBA talks and highlights international growth as a priority.
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