Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson reports “that Roger Goodell and NFL owners will discuss the possibility of adding an 18th game to the regular season at next week’s NFL Owners Meetings.”

29 March 2025

Per Robinson, “multiple league and player’s union sources” say that Goodell and the owners are expected to “make more assertive efforts” for an 18th game this summer. Robinson also indicates that team owners would like to opt out of the leagues’ domestic media right contracts, “which Goodell and the owners believe are underpriced.” The contracts are not set to expire until 2029, though. Opting out of the contracts before cementing an 18-game schedule would create more problems for the owners down the road, which may provide the NFL players’ union with leverage, as time is on the latter party’s side. The players reportedly wish to increase their split of league revenue from 48.0 percent to an even 50-50, which could play a role in negotiations.