The NFL is undoubtedly growing in popularity, but commissioner Roger Goodell has his sights set much higher.
Goodell was asked by guest host Mike Florio on The Dan Patrick Show if he wants football in the Olympics, and the commissioner responded positively.
"Absolutely," Goodell said. "We're already taking steps to gain that IOC recognition. We have, I think, 64 countries that are playing American football now, and that's one of the requirements. That's been growing dramatically — I think it was 40 just five years ago."
Obviously, a lot has to happen before football in the Olympics becomes a realistic option, but Goodell clearly thinks it's not out of the realm of possibility. He doesn't have a timetable for any such developments, but continued growth overseas will ultimately dictate what happens.
Goodell pointed to football's recent growth in London as proof of the increasing interest outside of the United States. In fact, he's not ruling out the idea of London becoming home to an NFL franchise.
"Our point is just to keep growing the game," Goodell said. "We're having a tremendous reaction in London and the UK for the game of football, our regular season game over there is sold out again this year, we are seriously contemplating as early as 2013 playing two NFL games next season and I think we'll do that. It's a response to the tremendous fan reaction and the growth of the game. If we can continue to grow the game there and have the fan reaction that we have, there very well may be a franchise in London."
Goodell has always set the bar high as league commissioner, but his Olympic aspirations could end up being more of a pipe dream than anything.
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