NFL owners still angling for an 18th game

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is obviously still committed to playing 16 regular season international games.

In a recent video posted by Sportico filmed at a Fanatic Fest In New York, Goodell said he has about 10 more countries in mind to host regular season games, including Japan. The league is playing 10 international games this year. He wants 16 international games so each team would have an international game and 16 would give up a home game.

When he was asked about a home game in Italy, he said, “A lot of people want to see that. That would be fun.”

Well, the players and the fans who lose a home game might not think it would be fun.

And to play 16 international games, the league would have to go to 18 games.

With the players already concerned about injuries, they are against adding an 18th game. 

Now the question is whether the league can offer the players enough money for an 18th game or lock them out until the players cave. 

The only certain thing is that the next negotiations with the players are likely to be long and contentious.