Goodell brushes off Shanahan's Australia travel worries
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed concerns raised by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan about opening the 2026 season in Australia. The 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne for Week 1. Goodell, speaking to reporters in Australia on Friday, described the matchup as the start of a long-term investment in the market rather than a one-off event.
Shanahan expressed skepticism during the league's owners meetings last month, stating he saw no benefit for the team in a 19- to 20-hour flight to start the season. He acknowledged the value of global expansion for the NFL but noted the lack of advantages, such as a follow-up bye week, for players and staff. Goodell countered by promising to send Shanahan a jet-lag app that worked well for him on the trip and praised Shanahan as an enthusiastic coach focused on winning.
Goodell emphasized that coaches prioritize victories and prefer early kickoffs without disruptions. He assured that the NFL prioritizes a positive experience for teams, ensuring competitiveness carries into Week 2 despite the travel. "This isn’t a circus. This is an investment in this market," Goodell said, adding the league plans repeated games in Australia.
The matchup underscores the NFL's push into international markets, with coaches holding limited influence over scheduling decisions. Shanahan called global games "cool for the league" despite personal reservations shared by other NFL head coaches.
