Is the NFLPA Preparing for Potential Addition of a 4-Team European Division as Part of League’s Expansion?

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The NFL has taken steps to grow the game globally in recent years, which has included the development of the NFL International Series. Their international efforts have included trips to London, Mexico City, Munich, Frankfurt, and São Paulo.

They will return to London and São Paulo in 2025, while also visiting Berlin, Madrid, and Dublin for the first time. Additionally, the league has a trip to Melbourne planned in 2026. Cardiff, Edinburgh, Rio de Janeiro, China, and Canada have all been floated as potential destinations to host games in the future.

There have also previously been talks about potential expansion to include a team in London. Early on Sunday, it was reported by Mike Florio and Pro Football Talk that the NFLPA is reportedly preparing for the league to attempt to push to have four teams in Europe. In the evening, Florio walked back the reporting after the NFLPA refuted the claim.

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Conflicting Reports Regarding Whether the NFLPA Is Preparing for European Expansion

The NFL has found success in growing the game when traveling overseas, as stadiums are frequently filled up. Mike Florio of NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk initially recently revealed that the NFLPA is preparing for the league to look to have four teams in Europe, writing:

“The NFL Players Association, we’re told, is preparing for the NFL to eventually make a push for a four-team European division. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell has been actively discussing the pros and cons of putting multiple teams — and more than 200 union jobs — on another continent.

“And there are more than a few cons. Will players want to move to London or Germany or Spain or wherever? Living in a different country introduces a host of new issues, starting with the governmental structure and continuing with the taxation system, cost of living, the potential language barrier, and more.

“Then there’s the draft. It’s one thing to tell a 21-year-old who’d prefer to live in his hometown of Pittsburgh that he’s moving to Seattle. It’s another to tell a kid from Phoenix that he’s packing for Frankfurt.”

Florio added that the league does not have any current plans to place any teams in Europe. He noted that they are instead focused on expanding the number of international games allowed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement from ten to 16 teams.

The NFL writer revealed that there would be plenty of logistics that would affect potential expansion to Europe. While the league’s 32 owners could receive a hefty payday in expansion fees, the travel involved and divisional situation could pose significant issues in terms of making the idea a reality.

Later, Florio backtracked on the reporting, saying, “The NFLPA says it’s not actively preparing for a European division.” The NFLPA reportedly told him, “Player members are in regular discussion with the NFLPA about international games and related health and safety issues. But no one is actively preparing for a European division.”

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