The NFL may go abroad

The NFL has returned to London with the Atlanta Falcons facing the New York Jets on Sunday but the league is just as focused on its next international destination: Germany. Brett Gosper, NFL Head of UK and Europe, said they are finalizing their short list of German cities to host a game as early as next season.

The opening of an office in Germany is “reasonably imminent,” he added, as is the hiring of a general manager there as the league expands in Europe, with France and Spain also in its sights.

Eight cities in Germany expressed interest in becoming a partner city to host a regular-season game, he said. The NFL announced a bidding process in June. The announcement could coincide with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s expected trip to London during the International Series.

The NFL has returned to London with the Atlanta Falcons facing the New York Jets on Sunday but the league is just as focused on its next international destination: Germany.

Brett Gosper, NFL Head of UK and Europe, said they are finalizing their short list of German cities to host a game football as early as next season.The opening of an office in Germany is “reasonably imminent,” he added, as is the hiring of a general manager there as the league expands in Europe, with France and Spain also in its sights. Gosper declined to identify the likely German finalists selected but said bidders might come to London on an “observer program” for the Jags-Dolphins game.