LONDON -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the NFL's overseas success doesn't mean the Super Bowl is crossing the Atlantic or that the league is going back to continental Europe.
Goodell said the expansion from two to three NFL regular season games starting next season has the league exploring how to continue growing its International Series brand. More games could come to London, which will need a franchise before it can even dream of hosting the Super Bowl. And that is some time away.
"We don't have a timetable for (a London franchise). We want to continue building interest, and if it continues to go well we believe a franchise could be here. The Super Bowl won't be played anywhere where we don't have a franchise," Goodell said on Saturday.
"Right now, our focus is on the U.K. since the European fans can get here. We want to build on our success here, and whether it leads to a permanent franchise or not, then we can see. What happens here will dictate that."
Goodell said demand from NFL teams to play in London was more than it could handle, and that a game could be held in Sunday prime-time hours next year. Monday and Thursday night games in London have been ruled out, as has holding preseason games or the Pro Bowl overseas.
Goodell was asked by a fan about going back to L.A. and where it ranks on the league's wish list compared to putting a team in London.
"It doesn't matter," Goodell said.
"I'd love to be back in Los Angeles," Goodell said. "But it has to be done the right way, we have to do it successfully. ...
Goodell applauded the Jacksonville Jaguars for embracing the International Series, with the Florida-based team signed up to play four regular season "home" games at Wembley Stadium over four years. The first is on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
"Jacksonville is an interesting experiment. I think fans there see that it's good for their community, that it's putting Jacksonville on a global stage," Goodell said while addressing some Jaguars fans complaints about losing one home game over these four seasons. "Whenever there is going to be change, there is going to be resistance to change."
The enthusiasm of overseas NFL fans was palpable inside the Grand Ballroom of the Landmark Hotel, with a scattering of NFL team jerseys in the audience featuring names such as Brady, Kaepernick, Bettis and even Tebow.
But it was Montana who won fans over when asked what he would do if appointed NFL commissioner for a day.
"I'd put a franchise over here," Montana said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
