NFL moving toward 18-game schedule

Sport & Story Daily January 22, 2026: Patriots owner Robert Kraft is demanding an 18 game schedule with one international game for each team.

Author

Kelsey Middleton
January 22, 2026

NFL moving toward 18-game schedule

January 22, 2026

Patriots' Robert Kraft lays out NFL's mandate to get bigger, richer: 18 games, international play for all 32 teams
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wants the NFL to play an 18-game regular-season schedule. He also wants each team to play an international game every year. Kraft believes the expansion and international games will draw more global interest and the league will make more money.
“We’re gonna push like the dickens now, to make international [exposure] more important with us,” Kraft said in the interview. “Every team will go to 18 [games] and two [exhibition games] and eliminate one of the preseason games. Every team every year will play one game overseas. Part of the reason is so we can continue to grow the cap and keep our labor happy. Because we’re sort of getting near the top here, you know, with the [domestic] coverage.”
Yahoo Sports

Duke Sues Darian Mensah After QB Enters Portal
Duke sued quarterback Darian Mensah to try to enforce his contract against the outgoing star. Mensah announced his intention to leave Duke. The lawsuit states that Mensah would sign away his rights he has already guaranteed to Duke, including his NIL, if he enters into a contract with another school. The filing also says Mensah, his family, or his representatives breached the contract by discussing his Duke deal or transferring to another school.
Front Office Sports

Netflix sweetens its deal for Warner Bros. as it bids for Hollywood dominance
Netflix is winning the streaming wars. The world’s largest streamer reported 18% year-over-year revenue growth. The company has amended its bid for Warner Bros. and HBO to an all-cash offer as rival Paramount Skydance presses its own bid for the entire company. The revised deal structure is expected to streamline the approval process, allowing Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders to vote on the transaction as early as April.
NBC News

'Where the Best Belong': Preview 2026 action on PGA TOUR
In 2026, the PGA TOUR will have the greatest players and the most storied venues and celebrated events. Starting next week, No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will play at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif. Next month, the venue will be at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which has a winning legacy. This year, only the top-100 players in the 2025 FedExCup standings through the end of the FedExCup Playoffs earned a fully exempt status for the 2026 PGA TOUR Season.
PGA TOUR

Rays enter non-binding agreement to pursue stadium plan at Hillsborough College
The Rays have officially identified their preferred location for a new ballpark. The Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Rays to pursue a partnership to redevelop the college’s approximately 113-acre Dale Mabry campus in Tampa in a project that would include a new stadium and mixed-use development. The campus is located near Tampa International Airport.
MLB

Ex-NFL reporter launches GOP Senate bid, reveals how she will flip script on state's 'crisis of leadership'
Former longtime sports reporter Michele Tafoya is now a political activist. She formally launched a campaign for the Senate bid to flip a Democrat-held open seat in her hometown of Minnesota. She is bidding to win the seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. National Republicans are eyeing as they aim to defend and expand their current 53-47 majority in the chamber in the year’s midterm elections.
Fox News

Angel City co-founder Julie Uhrman to step down as CEO
Angel City FC co-founder Julie Uhrman will step down from her position as CEO at the end of March. She is set to transition to a new role as Principal Advisor to team ownership starting on April 1. She will continue to serve on the ACFC board to help shape the long-term vision of the club.
The Equalizer

Asheville Tourists. Director of Special Events
The Asheville Tourists are completing a $40 million renovation of McCormick Field, transforming the venue into a year-round destination for events beyond baseball. The Director of Special Events is a newly created position responsible for generating revenue and leading the booking, planning, and execution of all non-Tourists events at the ballpark. Apply Now.

Sarasota Paradise. Communications and PR Specialist
We're seeking a proactive Communications and PR Specialist to lead our external storytelling and media efforts as we build brand awareness in the Sarasota-Manatee region and beyond. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role is pivotal in a startup environment, where you'll work closely with departments like Marketing, Operations, and Sales. This is a full-time position ideal for someone with a small business mindset who thrives in fast-paced ops and traditional sports values, focusing on press relations, releases, email newsletters, and influencer marketing—no social media management required. Expect cut-through-the-noise execution to drive real results in a lean team. Apply Now.

Los Angeles Lakers. Manager, Global Social & Digital Growth
The Manager of Global Social and Digital Growth is responsible for driving global awareness of the Lakers brand and growing fandom internationally at a rapid scale. The ideal candidate is a paid media expert who understands how to effectively utilize paid placements across social and digital platforms to reach new global audiences. The role will keep a pulse on and understand cultural trends and nuances within priority international markets to drive international fan engagement. As part of the larger Integrated Marketing plans, this role will promote key marketing initiatives such as tentpoles, seasonal milestones, and cultural moments within priority international markets with support and guidance from Brand Strategy, Marketing Operations, and the broader Integrated Marketing team. Apply Now.

Looking to fill an open position with top talent in the sports media industry? Advertise in the Sport & Story Daily to reach over 25,000 senior-level executives and professionals—and connect your job opportunity with the right audience.

Former Alabama center Charles Bediako sues NCAA in effort to return to college basketball
Former Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako sued the NCAA. He is seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction that would allow him to play for the remainder of the 2025-26 season for the Crimson Tide. He hasn’t played since the 2022-23 season. Bediako had two years of eligibility remaining but declared for the 2023 NBA Draft. He was not selected, but signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, briefly played with the G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs and played with the Grand Rapids Gold and Motor City Cruise.
CBS Sports

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