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Beginning in 2021, the NFL pre-season will be
reduced to three games from four before an expanded regular
season kicks off on Sept. 9.
The decision, which was approved during a virtual league
meeting, marks the first change to the season structure since
the 1978 campaign ushered in an era of 16 regular-season and
four pre-season games.
"This is a monumental moment in NFL history," said NFL
Commissioner Roger Goodell. "The CBA (Collective Bargaining
Agreement) with the players and the recently completed media
agreements provide the foundation for us to enhance the quality
of the NFL experience for our fans.
"And one of the benefits of each team playing 17 regular-season
games is the ability for us to continue to grow our game around
the world."
NFL players had agreed to the expanded regular season as part of
their current CBA, which gave the league an option to expand the
schedule when at least one new media deal was reached.
Two weeks ago the NFL said it had reached long-term media deals
with Amazon.com Inc and major broadcast and cable companies that
run through 2033.
The NFL also said that from 2022 all 32 clubs will play
internationally at least once every eight years and that the
scheduling of up to four games per year outside the U.S. will
focus initially on Canada, Europe, Mexico, South America and the
United Kingdom.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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