The iconic Rob Gronkowski predicts the NFL could go international by expanding a franchise to the likes of London, Mexico and Canada as he reveals his dream locations if the sport adds a 33rd team.
As part of a push to make the sport a phenomenon on the world stage, Roger Goodell has sent teams to play in the United Kingdom, Germany and Brazil in recent years to show fans what American Football is truly about.
Although teams share their international responsibilities on a rotational basis, could there be a permanent team abroad landing soon? Gronkowski weighs in on his own expansion plan.
“Canada would be cool,” Gronkowski said to the Dude on Dudes podcast. “Could either do Toronto or Montreal.”
He added: “There’s already eight games played over there. Might as well put a team in the city of London.”
And finally concluded of Mexico: “One of the biggest cities in the world. “We played there before. We played the Raiders there, and the place sold out.”
The 35-year-old tight end, who won four Super Bowl championships from 2014-2021, added extra praise for Mexico City by pointing out he knows the NFL has a market there due to first-hand experience.
“It was for Roffus… you know, another brand under Tostitos,” Gronkowski added. “I actually shot a commercial in Mexico City last year.
“It’s only played in Mexico, that’s why you haven’t seen it, Julian [Edelman]. I don’t even remember the lines, but I did the whole thing in Spanish.”
Could the NFL stay local?
However, whilst an expansion into international waters of Europe and other North American nations like Mexico and Canada are intriguing, they represent ambitious projects for the NFL to undertake.
So where could the sport decide to put a 33rd team if they choose to remain within the United States’ borders? Gronkowski nominates his desired picks for the expansion honors.
“Salt Lake City would be good,” Gronk said of a move to Utah before shutting down talk of San Antonio in Texas for being too small of a city, despite being home to Victor Wembanyama‘s Spurs in the NBA.
“I was disappointed when San Diego went from San Diego to L.A,” he added, of a return to American’s Finest City. “It just didn’t make sense. That’s like two hours down the road. Keep them in San Diego.”
And continuing on with the theme of abandoned cities, he also suggested a move back to Oakland for the NFL; although he insists that can only actually work if it’s the [Las Vegas] Raiders.
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