NFL To Stage Int’l Regular-Season Games Beginning In ’07

NFL Could Return To Mexico For Regular Season Game

NFL team owners yesterday approved a resolution that will allow the league to stage up to two int’l regular-season games per season beginning in ’07 and through at least the 2011 season (THE DAILY). In N.Y., Lee Jenkins reports there will be one int’l game next season, and the league “could play two” in ’08. The games will be played in Germany, Great Britain, Mexico or Canada, “with a bidding process to determine where the games will be and which teams will participate.” Team owners “figure to lose money by moving home games across the border, but they stand to gain exposure” (N.Y. TIMES, 10/25). In DC, Mark Maske reports each club “could designate one home game that could not be held in a foreign country; games between divisional opponents could not be played outside the country unless both teams consented; clubs playing an international game would have home games the week before and byes the week after; and home teams would be guaranteed fees equal to their average revenue in their other home games” (WASHINGTON POST, 10/25). Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen said, “If we lose a home game, we’ll get compensated. We’re comfortable with it.” The AP’s Brett Martel notes teams would “rotate over a 16-year period, with each team playing outside the country twice over that span, once as a visitor, the other as a home team.” NFL Int’l Senior VP Mark Waller said, “Germany has a large number of sites as it’s just done the World Cup. UK has a significant number of great sites. We know the sites in Mexico and Canada, so there’s no shortage of venues that are interested in these games” (AP, 10/25).

OH, CANADA: In Toronto, David Naylor reports the “earliest [regular-season game] in Canada will be in 2008.” CFL Argos President Keith Pelley said the NFL “came and met with us last week. There has been constant dialogue. They have been fantastic partners and said that in bringing an NFL game to Canada, it will be in partnership and co-operation with the CFL. When an NFL game comes to Canada, I’m confident that the (CFL) member club will be involved in some capacity” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/25).