The National Football League, already a titan of American entertainment, is seriously considering another expansion of its regular season. Following recent owners’ meetings, momentum is building for an 18-game schedule, a move driven by billions in potential revenue. This push comes a decade after predictions of the league’s decline due to oversaturation, a forecast that has so far proven completely wrong.
Mark Cuban’s Warning vs. Today’s NFL Dominance
Back in 2014, businessman Mark Cuban famously warned the NFL about its aggressive expansion into more TV slots. He said, “Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered,” suggesting that putting games on more nights of the week would dilute the product and turn fans away. He believed the league’s greed would lead to an eventual implosion.
Fast forward to today, and the NFL is fatter and healthier than ever. The league’s grip on television is undeniable. In the most recent season, NFL games accounted for a staggering 72 of the top 100 most-watched TV broadcasts in the United States. Even though this number was down from 93 the previous year, it still shows a level of dominance no other entity can match. Cuban’s prediction of diminishing returns has not materialized.
The Billion-Dollar Push for an 18th Game
The motivation behind adding another game to the schedule is simple: money. NFL owners see a clear path to significantly increasing the league’s revenue, which already sits in the tens of billions. The league is now ready to formally engage the NFL Players Association on the topic.
An 18-game season would open up several new financial avenues for the 32 team owners. The primary drivers for this change include:
- More Broadcast Revenue: Networks would pay billions more for the rights to air an extra week of regular season games.
- Increased Ticket and Stadium Sales: Each team would get another home game every other year, boosting local revenue from tickets, concessions, and merchandise.
- Expanded Sponsorship Deals: A longer season provides more inventory and exposure for corporate sponsors.
This financial incentive is the driving force that makes the expansion feel less like a possibility and more like an inevitability.
Player Safety Concerns and the Power of Negotiation
The biggest hurdle for the 18-game season is the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Players will rightfully raise concerns about the increased physical toll and injury risk that comes with playing another high-impact football game. The health and safety of athletes will be at the center of their argument against the expansion.
However, history provides a clear blueprint for how these negotiations will likely play out. The last expansion from 16 to 17 games also faced strong opposition from players. Ultimately, the owners’ offer of a larger share of the new revenue was enough to get the deal done. While the NFLPA will fight for concessions, such as an extra bye week or roster changes, the financial upside will likely be too significant to refuse.
Could the NFL Finally Reach Its Breaking Point?
While the league continues to grow, Cuban’s original point about oversaturation remains a lingering question. An 18-game season could create more late-season games with little to no playoff implications. Fans may grow tired of watching matchups where star players are resting or teams with losing records are simply playing out the schedule.
These “meaningless” games could test the loyalty of even the most dedicated viewers. For now, the combination of fantasy football, the rise of sports betting, and the NFL’s cultural power has created what seems to be an endless appetite for the sport. The league is betting that fans will watch whatever is put in front of them, and so far, that bet has always paid off.
Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL’s 18-Game Season
Why does the NFL want an 18-game season?
The primary reason is financial. An 18th game would generate billions of dollars in additional revenue from television rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships, further strengthening the league’s economic dominance.
What is the main obstacle to an 18-game season?
The main obstacle is the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), which will have major concerns about the increased risk of injury and the physical toll an extra game would take on players’ bodies.
When could an 18-game season happen?
There is no official timeline, but with the league now ready for serious discussions, it could be a key point of negotiation when the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is revisited before its expiration in 2030.
How would an 18-game season affect the NFL schedule?
An 18-game season would likely eliminate one preseason game, reducing the exhibition schedule from three games to two. It would also likely lead to discussions about adding a second bye week for each team to help manage player fatigue.
