Bill Belichick addressed an audience in Dublin on Saturday, raising the topic of whether the National Football League will establish a franchise outside the United States.
The 74-year-old coach, who is widely considered among the greatest in history, recently assumed the role of head coach at North Carolina Tar Heels after spending 23 years with the New England Patriots.
During his tenure with the Patriots, Belichick secured six Super Bowl victories before moving to college football where he began leading the Tar Heels in 2025.
While NFL games are frequently played across Europe and international routes exist for players, all 32 current franchises remain based in America.
The upcoming fixture scheduled for Saturday at 17:00 BST pits Belichick's North Carolina Tar Heels against Texas Christian University as the season opens.
This match serves as the preliminary round of competition for both institutions this year.
Information regarding the potential expansion comes from reports published by BBC Sport Northern Ireland on the same day as the event.
No official confirmation has been issued yet to determine if a European-based team will be part of the league structure.
The discussion highlights ongoing interest in growing the sport globally beyond its traditional American heartland.
Belichick's comments were made prior to the scheduled college game which marks the start of the season for his current squad.