NFLPA Reportedly Expects NFL to Push for 4-Team European Division, Possible Expansion

The NFL Players Association is "preparing" for the NFL to push for a European division containing four teams in the future, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell has been actively discussing the pros and cons of putting multiple teams — and more than 200 union jobs — on another continent," Florio reported Sunday.

While no NFL team is located outside the United States, the league has featured games in Europe on an annual basis since 2007.

Per Florio, a potential four-team European division could consist of expansion teams instead of moving four of the 32 established franchises.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell previously discussed the concept of having multiple teams across the pond as well as a possible division.

"There's no question that London could support not just one franchise, I think two franchises," Goodell said on a panel at the International Series in London in Oct. 2022. "I really believe that. That's from a fan perspective, from a commercial standpoint and from a media standpoint. I think you [London] have all proven that."

"We're trying to sort of see, could you have multiple locations in Europe where you could have an NFL franchise? Because it would be easier as a division," he added.

Florio noted Sunday that "there’s no evidence" from the league's perspective that a plan is set to put teams in Europe "in the foreseeable future," though. The NFL's current goal is to expand the amount of permissible international games under the Collective Bargaining Agreement from 10 to 16.

The upcoming 2025 season will contain seven international games, the highest single-season total in league history.

While a four-team division in Europe may not occur in the near future, the NFLPA is still reportedly preparing for the league to propose it.