The NFL is already a large league with 32 teams.
So how does 40 sound?
Reports have surfaced about the NFL potentially offering St. Louis an expansion franchise in order to settle the current lawsuit against the league for taking the Rams to Los Angeles.
If that happened, a 34th team would surely join as well to keep balance in the conferences.
Which cities deserve an NFL expansion team? pic.twitter.com/aYibNOaC4U
— PFF (@PFF) November 17, 2021
But getting to 34 may not be the end.
Another report claims 40 teams could be the natural ending point to land on a perfect number for divisions and an expanded postseason.
Is 40 teams too many?
Expansion Seems To Be Coming Soon
The NFL is clearly trying to grow its global reach by playing games in London on an annual basis.
And while a team being based there would be complicated in terms of travel, it seems inevitable at this point.
Toronto and Mexico City could also be in the mix as easy options in North America.
Where will the next NFL expansion team be based?
Toronto +290
London +290
San Antonio +400
St. Louis +400
Mexico City +950
Columbus +2000
Orlando +2000
Omaha +2000
Sacramento +2000
Portland +2000
Norfolk +2000
Salt Lake City +2000
Montreal +3000
Memphis +3000@BovadaOfficial— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) November 18, 2021
40 teams would seem like a lot at first, but expansion has been taking place for decades and eventually, the amount of teams feels normal.
The problems arise when there is just not enough talent to go around.
Are there 40 quarterbacks good enough to start in the NFL at any given moment?
That would be a problem for the coaches, as the owners would not care about the talent as long as they are all making more money.
The NFL already dominates the American sporting landscape and expansion would only makes its reach expand around the world.
Yet the risk of expanding too much could mean franchises don’t exist for too long if there is not enough demand among fans in a given city, whether that be in America or abroad.
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