Jon Gruden attacks Roger Goodell’s global expansion: "Grow it in the United States"

MARCA ^ | September 10, 2026 | JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ

[MinorityRepublican]

on Gruden has never had a problem speaking his mind. The former NFL head coach, famous for his fiery sideline outbursts during his coaching days, showed that same side again on his podcast, where he blasted the league's international expansion and insisted that taking games overseas is a major mistake.

During the September 10 episode of the Gruden Family Football Show, a caller challenged Gruden's opposition to the NFL's international schedule, pointing out that Red Grange's barnstorming tour in the 1920s helped save and legitimize the NFL when professional football was struggling to survive. Gruden, however, didn't hesitate to respond.

"I understand that completely. I mean, we're not going overseas to play home games. I didn't see Red Grange playing in Australia. And I never saw Ray Nitschke play in London. Okay? So, take that and stick that in your pipe," Jon Gruden said. "If you want to grow the game, grow it in the United States. We got a lot of kids that aren't playing football. So, let's play games where we need to grow the game in our country."

This is far from the first time Gruden has criticized the NFL's international strategy. While the league continues expanding its global footprint, he believes the policy comes at the expense of players and coaches.

"I think it's the worst thing in the history of football," he said on the Grant & Danny podcast. "You're so excited for the season to start. The Rams are the favorite to win the Super Bowl. The 49ers are getting (Brock) Purdy back, and maybe (George) Kittle, and they are excited to get going. And then you have to fly on a plane for 17 hours to Australia?"

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TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: globohomo

[Dr. Franklin]

"I understand that completely. I mean, we're not going overseas to play home games. I didn't see Red Grange playing in Australia. And I never saw Ray Nitschke play in London. Okay? So, take that and stick that in your pipe," Jon Gruden said. "If you want to grow the game, grow it in the United States. We got a lot of kids that aren't playing football. So, let's play games where we need to grow the game in our country."

OK Chuckie, tell us who you really feel now!

[Round Earther]

Two million people within a hundred miles of Salt Lake City?

There are 44 million people within a hundred miles of downtown Tokyo.

Go to the money.

[Salman]

The NFL is a form of social corruption. The world would be a better place without it.

[citizen]

That did not seem to keep Jon from cashing his NFL checks.

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There's the idiot statement du jour. Every employee cashes their paycheck.

[BradyLS]

Who plays in these international games? Do they count for the season?

If it’s just spectacle and doesn’t count for the season, don’t commit the top-tier (or two top tiers of) players.

[MinorityRepublican]

Who plays in these international games? Do they count for the season?

If we have to do them, it should be teams like Cleveland Browns vs New York Jets.

[jerod]

Exactly!

Nobody in the UK, Germany or Australia watches NFL football... And why would they? They have their own sports. They’re sports that nobody in North America watches like soccer (their ‘football’), cricket, rugby, Australian rules football, etc., etc. Some Mexican’s like soccer, but their true sport of choice is killing each other.

Canada? Maybe, but the best market for the NFL is America. There are lots American cities that could host and support NFL teams.

[missthethunder]

They’re too scared to split up the fan base.
Moose slims aren’t watching football.

Maybe they could make football rules,
part of the citizenship test.

/s. Grin

[missthethunder]

They’re too scared to split up the fan base.
Moose slims aren’t watching football.

Maybe they could make football rules,
part of the citizenship test.

/s. Grin

[llevrok]

why Europe or Australia if they aren’t going to actually expand there?

TV revenue. Create interest. Create viewers.

[Nextrush]

Is there any more $ in the USA for growth?

[alternatives?]

“The NFL is looking for new markets.”

I am thinking gambling.

[Arkady]

But hey, the Land Acknowledgement was nice...

[Dr. Sivana]

they can expand to Tokyo with a population of 33,000,000 with a GDP of 2.5 trillion.

In a country where very few natives can actually become professional football players, a Japanese team compsed of mostly U.S. players would be a spectacle, not a local sports team. Kinda like basketball in Red China.

[1FreeAmerican]

SLC is not a very large city by itself. However add in the surrounding metropolitan areas and you get 2.7 million plus.

We are ready for an NFL team.

[MinorityRepublican]

Eventually the NFL will have to reach out to other countries to develop football players, to the point where I believe within 20 years, the league will have a majority of players born outside of the US.

Nigeria would be a great place for the NFL to develop a MLB style academy system.

[Texas Eagle]

The 49ers are getting (Brock) Purdy back, and maybe (George) Kittle, and they are excited to get going. And then you have to fly on a plane for 17 hours to Australia?

Wahhhh! O, the Hugh Manatee! And they only make 30 million dollars a year. 😢 😭

It could've been worse. They could've made them take a Greyhound to Oakland.

[DIRTYSECRET]

The southern hemisphere would be great for a spring league. Down there it would be fall-like weather. Just how many cities? Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington/Auckland. Throw in South American cities like Rio, Sao Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aries. Don’t know about the flight times but NFL wannabes could hone their trade down there and hope for an NFL invite.

There’s even South Africa-not for me.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Paris has adopted the New Orleans Saints-cultural. No reason two cities in Japan can’t do the same for the 49ers and the Rams. Start the season in an international city a few days early-jet lag. Give them a taste. Play 10-18 games in Hawaii. Vegas-move the Raiders back to Oakland and every team plays one game in Vegas(tourism). Play Sunday & Monday nite football games there along with a big time college game on Saturday. Don’t leave out Mexico City. It’s close. Give those countries just enough to want more. Think globalist-did I say that?