The NFL has quietly monitored developments in supersonic commercial flight as a potential solution to placing permanent teams in Europe, according to people familiar with the matter. A successful test flight by Boom Supersonic in January marked the first civilian jet to break the sound barrier since the Concorde, drawing attention from league executives exploring international expansion possibilities.
Supersonic travel could reduce flight times from New York to London to under four hours, effectively eliminating the primary logistical obstacle to European-based franchises. While the NFL has no firm plans or concrete timeline for overseas teams, league officials are tracking the commercial supersonic flight industry\'s progress closely.
Boom Supersonic aims to carry its first passengers in its Overture commercial jet by 2029. The aircraft is designed to cruise at Mach 1.7 on transoceanic routes, traveling twice as fast as current airliners.
\"It\'s inevitable,\" Blake Scholl, chief executive of Boom Supersonic, says of global sports expansion. \"The only reason they aren\'t already is the speed of travel.\"
The company has secured 130 preorders from major airlines. President Trump signed an executive order in June directing the FAA to repeal a 50-year ban on supersonic flight over U.S. land, contingent on noise reductions.
The NFL debuted games in Dublin, Berlin, and Madrid this season while maintaining its London presence. The league plans to host its first game in Australia next season as part of its growing international footprint.
People familiar with the NFL\'s thinking say European expansion isn\'t currently a priority issue. However, the league remains intrigued by supersonic travel\'s potential return by decade\'s end.
The Overture, however, is planned to carry only 60 to 80 passengers, while NFL traveling parties typically include around 200 people. Even without permanent European teams, supersonic travel could streamline the league\'s existing international schedule for participating clubs.