The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). It is widely regarded as the premier professional football league in the world. The NFL operates on a franchise system, where each team functions as an independent business that is granted a license to operate in the league.
Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), the league changed its name to the National Football League in 1922. The NFL season typically consists of a 17-week regular season where each team plays 16 games and has one bye week, followed by a four-round playoff tournament leading to the Super Bowl, the league's championship game. The Super Bowl is widely recognized as one of the biggest sporting events globally, drawing massive television viewership and cultural significance.
The NFL's primary mission is to promote and govern professional American football while maintaining the integrity, competitiveness, and entertainment value of the game. It oversees player contracts, team salary caps, scheduling, rule enforcement, and disciplinary matters. The league generates revenue through various sources, including broadcasting rights, merchandise sales, ticket sales, and sponsorships. Additionally, the NFL engages in numerous community outreach initiatives, charitable projects, and player welfare programs.
Throughout its history, the NFL has cultivated a vast fan base and holds a prominent place in American sports culture. Many of the league's players have become household names, and NFL franchises are often deeply ingrained in the local communities they represent.
