March 23--As part of the league's push to grow its fan base internationally, the NFL plans to play a regular-season game in China in the coming years. Although Commissioner Roger Goodell said the details are still being finalized, multiple owners confirmed that the Rams are slated to be the home team for a China game in 2018.
The Rams have agreed to play an international game in each of the next three seasons, starting with a London game this fall. The China concept makes sense for them in that they're a West Coast team, so they're closer to the Far East, and they're playing three seasons in the Coliseum while their new stadium is being constructed in Inglewood.
Rams Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff, while emphasizing it's premature to say an agreement to play in China has been finalized, said the concept makes sense for the franchise.
"It's a great opportunity to expand the brand," Demoff said. "I think when you look at how diverse Los Angeles is, the different ethnicities and cultures, it's something you want to embrace and bring everyone into the fold as Rams fans in Southern California."
