NFL Passes Resolution to Allow Scheduling of International Games Through 2025

The National Football League opened the door for further international expansion Wednesday as teams passed a resolution to increase the time frame for regular-season games to take place outside the United States, including areas outside of the United Kingdom, to 2025.

NFL Communications noted other countries are in contention to host games starting in 2016 after the league played yearly contests at London's Wembley Stadium in recent seasons. It's a location that's expected to remain involved moving forward even as the NFL looks to further expand.

The report also included comments from Commissioner Roger Goodell about the latest agreement:

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This marks an important step in our long-term international growth. Fans in the UK have responded incredibly well to the regular-season games we have played in London since 2007. They have demanded more NFL games, and we have worked to accommodate them. We think it's time to expand our International Series to other countries and respond to the growing interest in our game not only in the UK, but elsewhere around the world.

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Albert Breer of NFL.com reported Oct. 2 that Mexico and Germany are two countries under strong consideration for games in 2016. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports confirmed those are the nations receiving the most buzz.

Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said, per Don Banks of Sports Illustrated, Dallas is interested in playing a game in Mexico, but its biggest issue is losing a home game.

The NFL already signed a 10-year agreement with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur to play at least two games per season at their new London stadium once it opens in 2018.

One thing the latest resolution doesn't directly address is the possibly of having a full-time team based outside the United States. Goodell discussed the possibility in July 2014 and suggested there could be a team in London within the next five or 10 years.

All told, it's clear the NFL is moving full steam ahead with plans to make the league as much of a global brand as possible. Getting clearance from the teams, which sometimes have to give up a home game to an outside market, for another decade suggests the movement has been a positive one for the league.

There are obviously a lot of pieces in play between Wembley, Tottenham's new stadium and whichever new markets are chosen starting in 2016. Once the dust settles, it sounds like there could be several more games played outside the U.S. on an annual basis.