The National Football League is the most popular sport in the United States and the NFL is responsible for a majority of the most-watched TV broadcasts around the country. Now, just two years after the first 17-game season, further expansion could be on the horizon.
As part of the new collective bargaining agreement signed in 2020 by the NFL and the players union, the regular season was expanded to 17 games beginning in 2021. The new CBA also came with a decades-long media rights package worth more than $100 billion, setting the league up to keep setting records for revenue each year.
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While players were long opposed to including a 17th game, it was a non-negotiable for owners during CBA negotiations. Since the adoption of a 17-game season, league revenue has exploded even further and teams expect the salary cap to climb by $18-$20 million every year for the next decade.
As new issues emerge for the players union to address in the next CBA negotiations, including the declining pay for running backs, team owners are expected to pursue something of their own.
On the latest You Pod to Win the Game podcast, Yahoo Sports Senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson explained the next round of the CBA negotiations and why he expects owners to push once again for an 18-game season.
“I believe what’s going to happen is the NFL owners are once again going to revisit the idea of expanding the number of games that get played. Now, could that change, certainly if it goes badly there being 17. There will still be some tone deaf owners that say ‘We gotta get to 18’. There will be interesst in going to 18 games, undoubtedly. Because it continues to expand TV money, revenues, etc. It makes it easier to send teams overseas.”
Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson on NFL owners pushing for an 18-game season
The current CBA doesn’t expire until March 2030 and serious negotiations on a new agreement are still years away. However, the collective bargaining agreement has come under the spotlight in recent weeks amid growing frustration from running backs regarding how they are compensated and treated after completing their rookie contracts.
While a majority of players are adamantly opposed to an 18-game season, concerned over the long-term effects it will have on their health, it could be a key bargaining chip for the union. Eliminating the franchise tag is one of the most direct paths to freeing up players to hit the open market and maximize their earning power. However, owners might only be willing to consider eliminating the franchise tag if it guarantees 18-game seasons.
Considering the billions of dollars in added revenue potentially at stake for the NFL if an 18-game season is adopted, it could prove to be a powerful bargaining chip for the players when negotiations begin.