The NFL’s long-discussed dream of placing permanent teams in Europe could become a reality if supersonic commercial flights return by the end of the decade.
According to Wall Street Journal reporter Andrew Beaton, the NFL is very interested in how supersonic jet development is progressing, with hopes of expanding the league overseas.
“People familiar with the NFL’s thinking say that the concept of European expansion isn’t a front-burner issue right now,” Beaton wrote in his story released Wednesday. “But the league remains intrigued by the potential return of supersonic travel by the end of the decade.”
There have been no commercial supersonic flights since the final British Airways Concorde flight from New York to London in 2003. The Concorde was able to go more than 1,300 mph on that route, making the travel time between the two cities only three hours.
Beaton noted that companies such as Boom Supersonic have begun testing the high-speed flights once again, pointing to one test that occurred weeks before Super Bowl 59 between the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the prospect of sending an NFL team on one of the jets is still a ways away. One plane being tested, nicknamed ‘the Overture’, can currently carry only 60 to 80 people, considerably less than a typical NFL team’s travel party, making the prospect of sending an NFL team on one still a ways away.
The NFL has not been quiet about its desire to have a team in Europe. During a 2022 event, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his desire to have a team in London.
“There is no question that London could support not just one franchise, I think two,” Goodell said. “I really believe that, and that’s from a fan perspective, from a commercial standpoint and from a media standpoint. Undoubtedly, I think you all have proven that. ... We are trying to see if you could have multiple NFL franchises because it would be easier as a division.”
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