NFL Transformation: Expansion and Accessibility Challenges

The National Football League (NFL) has significantly transformed over the last two decades, moving toward a global presence and increased broadcast complexity. The regular season schedule has already expanded to 17 games, with speculation that 18 games could be next. Furthermore, games are now hosted in more international locations than ever before.

This evolution, however, comes with growing costs for the average fan trying to follow their favorite teams. To watch all the action during the 2025 season, supporters faced expenses ranging from a minimum of $575 to nearly $800.

Streaming Woes vs. Mainstream Access

Future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski expressed frustration with the shift toward streaming platforms for game broadcasts. He stated a preference for games being available on mainstream television, noting personal difficulty accessing streams while traveling.

"I actually didn't watch plenty of games this year because it was on a streaming network, and it was difficult to make an account real quick, wherever I was on the road, you know, in a hotel room. I wasn't home. I'm all about mainstream," Gronkowski told Fox News Digital.

Gronkowski acknowledged the business reality driving these changes. He understands the necessity of growth and revenue generation within the league structure. "I understand the business side of the NFL, and as a businessman, I will never hate the way that it's going because it's all about the business," he added.

Global Expansion: A Double-Edged Sword

The league continues to push its footprint internationally, with games scheduled in Australia later this year, alongside ongoing discussions about player safety and the potential 18-game schedule.

Player Compensation and International Growth

Julian Edelman, Gronkowski's former teammate, sees the international expansion as ultimately beneficial for the players themselves. He pointed out the massive contracts current players are signing, suggesting they will be well compensated regardless of schedule changes.

"The bigger the game gets, the more the guys are going to get paid, and it's going to feature them in the big picture a lot better," Edelman commented. "So I think this is a great thing for the league once the game gets bigger internationally, because if the game gets bigger, the players get paid more. So I'm all for that."

Edelman admitted that while he personally would not have desired an 18-game schedule as a player due to increased physical toll, the resulting revenue surge benefits everyone. "It's a double-edged sword. It's gonna suck because it's gonna hurt a lot more, but the revenues are gonna be higher," he concluded.

Scheduling Mitigation Efforts

Gronkowski noted that the expanding revenues directly contribute to the rising salary cap each year. He praised the NFL's efforts to mitigate the physical impact of international travel through strategic scheduling.

He cited the upcoming Australia game as an example of smart planning. The game is scheduled early in the week, allowing players sufficient time to adjust before flying back to Los Angeles, where they can regain a day and have a longer recovery period. Gronkowski believes that if scheduling remains optimized for player recovery, the expansion efforts are positive for the game's future.