NFL owners debate expanding regular season to 18 games at league meeting

National Football League owners have discussed the feasibility of expanding the regular season to 18 games during the annual league meeting in Phoenix.

Momentum is slowly building towards adding an extra competitive fixture while reducing the preseason schedule to just two matches.

Any structural changes to the North American football calendar would require complex negotiations with the players’ association and their new executive director, JC Tretter.

Momentum builds for schedule changes

Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon believes the proposed shift could ultimately improve the overall fan experience.

“I think that if we can make it work, I do think that it would be good,” Irsay-Gordon said.

The franchise executive suggested that players might support the move due to the promise of increased revenue streams.

However, she acknowledged that team executives would likely need to offer concessions, such as a shortened off-season training programme.

Player safety and union resistance

The players’ union has historically opposed lengthening the grueling sporting calendar due to significant injury concerns.

A similar public stance was taken before the transition to the current 17-game format, which was eventually ratified in the 2021 collective bargaining agreement.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed his support for the expansion to boost the sport’s long-term commercial growth.

“Changing to 18 games, and having that real content, and being mindful of player safety, I personally would like to see us have a second bye week,” Kraft explained.

Mixed reactions among franchise chiefs

Implementing these changes in the near future would mean reopening labour talks well before the current deal expires at the end of the 2030 season.

Not all executives share the enthusiasm for an immediate restructuring of the competitive schedule.

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam cautioned against rushing the process, labelling the ongoing discussions as slightly premature.