Is there promotion and relegation in the NFL?

Promotion and relegation are staples of many sports leagues around the world, but in the NFL, that concept doesn’t exist.

DAZN News explains more below.

Why is there no promotion or relegation in the NFL?

The NFL runs on a franchise system. Each team is owned by individuals or ownership groups who pay to join the league, and once they’re in, their place is guaranteed, provided they meet the league’s requirements. This structure is designed to safeguard the financial interests of team owners, sponsors, and media partners.

While developmental leagues exist, they aren’t structured or large enough to promote or absorb franchises.

The NFL's closed model is similar to that of other major North American leagues (NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, etc.) and is considered the standard mode of operation in the US.

How does the NFL maintain parity without promotion or relegation?

The NFL relies on systems like salary caps and reverse draft order to keep things competitive among the 32 teams.

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