Goodell downplays Shanahan's Australia opener concerns
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan's concerns about playing the season opener in Australia. The 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne to start the 2026 campaign. Goodell described the matchup as the start of a long-term investment in the Australian market.
Shanahan expressed skepticism during the league's owners meetings last month, stating he saw no benefit for the team despite supporting global expansion. He noted the 19- to 20-hour flight with no follow-up bye week. Goodell, speaking to reporters in Australia on Friday, offered Shanahan an app to combat jet lag that worked well for him on the trip.
Goodell praised Shanahan as an enthusiastic coach whose priority is winning, separate from the league's growth efforts. He assured that the NFL would ensure a positive experience for the teams, maintaining competitiveness as the game counts toward the regular-season standings.
Goodell emphasized repeated visits to Australia, rejecting the idea of a one-off event. The commissioner views the games as a sustained commitment to build the NFL's presence there.
