GREG Olsen is convinced that the NFL is going to expand its schedule once again.
According to the Fox NFL Sunday star, an 18-game schedule is “inevitable” for the league.
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There are still a few more seasons before the NFL’s current media rights package expires in 2029.
However, when that time comes, Olsen thinks a full international slate of games will drive the league to expand to 18 games.
“I think it’s inevitable,” Olsen told The Sports Media Podcast.
“I think as the league continues to grow, obviously there’s the international package that’s still kind of lingering out there.
“I don’t think we’re very far from every team playing one of their games internationally, building an entire new window.”
Media experts have long believed that the NFL will expand to a 9 am ET slot for international games.
Those games would be played weekly, and even more countries would likely be involved.
That would jeopardize Fox NFL Sunday, possibly forcing the show to be moved.
Currently, games are being played in England, Germany, Brazil, Ireland, and Spain.
Olsen believes players will fight back against an 18-game schedule, but he still thinks it will get done.
“The union will push back and there will be some guys who don’t really want to do it,” Olsen said.
“But when they see their salaries go up and they see the salary cap continue to grow the way it has, I think… just like when they went to 17 games, everyone will complain, and then they’ll get over it.”
The NFL hasn’t been shy about revealing their desire for an 18-game schedule either.
Goodell has explicitly said that he wants to get rid of a preseason game and add a regular-season game.
Olsen believes the only way the league is going to get to 18 games is with extra international games.
“The league is not going to stop growing,” he said.
“It’s not going to stop growing outside of the United States.
“It’s not going to [stop finding] international markets.
“That is the future of the NFL, is becoming a global sport. And from a business perspective, it’s very easy to see why.”
