Goodell: More NFL games likely in Germany
The NFL plans to play more regular-season games in Germany, possibly sooner than expected.
League commissioner Roger Goodell told a fan forum in Munich on Saturday that the NFL will stage “at least” four games in Germany through 2025.
The current agreement includes Sunday’s first game in Germany plus an annual game over the next three seasons — with Munich and Frankfurt each hosting twice.
“In our commitment, we’re going to play the next four years, at least, and with at least four games,” Goodell said ahead of Sunday’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks at Allianz Arena. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it expanded beyond that at some point soon.”
The commissioner didn’t take questions from the media but his comments could reflect that both the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs are lobbying for next year’s game.
There are also questions about the availability of Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in 2023. Azteca, which will host the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 21, could be under renovation next year in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
Germany has become the NFL’s top market in Europe and Munich has been buzzing all week about Sunday’s game, headlined by seventime Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
If league officials look to extend beyond the four years, they would have little trouble finding more partners. Besides Munich and Frankfurt, Düsseldorf had reached the short list from eight German cities that initially bid to host games. STEELERS ACTIVATE WATT OFF IR >> One star in, one star out for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
The Steelers activated outside linebacker T.J. Watt off injured reserve on Saturday, clearing the way for him to return for Sunday’s visit from New Orleans.
Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, hasn’t played since tearing his left pectoral in a Week 1 win over Cincinnati. He underwent minor knee surgery during his stay on IR but returned to practice two weeks ago. On Friday, he said he’s ready to play.
The Steelers (2-6), struggled without Watt, dropping
six of seven without the three-time All-Pro and generating just eight sacks. Pittsburgh had seven sacks against the Bengals with Watt in the lineup.
Pittsburgh ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for the game against the Saints (3-6) with an appendix issue.
Tennis
AUSTRALIA BEATS BRITAIN, INTO FINAL OF BILLIE JEAN KING CUP >> Australia
reached the final of the biggest team event in women’s tennis for the 19th time after winning the decisive doubles on a match tiebreaker to beat Britain 2-1 in the Billie Jean King Cup on Saturday.
Storm Sanders had already put a point on the board for the Australians with an opening singles win and she then partnered Sam Stosur to a 7-6 (1), 6-7 (5), 10-6 victory over Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls
in a nerve-racking doubles match in Glasgow.
In Sunday’s title match, Australia will play the winner of the second semifinal between the Czech Republic and Switzerland taking place later Saturday.
Sanders beat Heather Watson 6-4, 7-6 (3) before Britain fought back through Harriet Dart, who won 7-6 (3), 6-2 against Ajla Tomljanovic.
Britain was in the semifinals for the first time since 1981, surpassing pre-event expectations.
Australia, the top-ranked women’s team, will head into the final looking to win the event formerly known as the Fed Cup for an eighth time — and first time since 1974. The Australians lost in the final in 2019.
Golf
HOJGAARD AND DETRY SHARE LEAD >>
Rasmus Højgaard and Thomas Detry shared the lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge after a busy day on Saturday when some players had to finish their second rounds and then come straight back out to play the third round.
Rain and lightning had shortened the second day at Sun City, leaving Ryan Fox and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald in a share of the lead, although they had barely started their second rounds when players were called off because of the weather.
Fox and Donald were dislodged on Saturday as Denmark’s Højgaard and Belgium’s Detry made their way to the top to lead by a shot on 9 under par going into the final day of the penultimate tournament of the European tour season.