NFL owners are meeting today to discuss the possibility of expanding the NFL season from 16 games to 18 games. The Washington Post‘s Mark Maske has more information on the meeting, which is not expected to culminate in a vote.
Still, if the owners do decide to knock off two preseason games in favor of adding two more regular-season games, the change could be made as soon as 2012.
A longer season would be a boon for the television networks that cover football. NFL games are easily the most consistent programs on TV in terms of delivering viewers. More games means more action for networks to televise, and the advertising revenue that comes with it.
For the league and individual teams, it could result in more valuable TV deals once the current ones expire.