NFL 2025 Draft Approaches: Record Betting, International Expansion, and Top Prospects Set to Reshape League Landscape

### NFL Recap: Key Highlights and Developments

The National Football League (NFL) continues to thrive, driven by robust fan engagement, significant revenue growth, and expanding international presence.

#### Fan Engagement and Viewership
- The NFL remains the most watched sports league in the U.S., with the Super Bowl consistently attracting over 100 million viewers annually[1].
- A staggering 70% of Americans identify as football fans, according to a St. Bonaventure/Siena Research survey[1].
- Fantasy sports participation is also high, with 60 million people engaging in fantasy sports each year[1].

#### Revenue and Betting
- The NFL generated approximately $18 billion in revenue in 2022, primarily from massive media deals. For instance, in 2021, the NFL signed broadcast agreements worth over $110 billion with networks like CBS, NBC, FOX, and ESPN[1].
- Legal sports betting has become a significant contributor, with the American Gaming Association predicting a record-breaking $35 billion in legal wagers for the 2024 NFL season, a 30% increase from the previous year. NFL-related bets account for about 40% of the U.S. sports betting market[1].

#### International Expansion
- The NFL has been hosting games in London and Mexico City, enhancing its global visibility and appeal[1].

#### 2025 NFL Draft
- The 2025 NFL Draft is set to take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay. Key prospects include Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Travis Hunter, with various mock drafts predicting their potential teams[2][3][5].
- Teams are finalizing their draft boards, considering trades and team needs. For example, the Giants are eyeing Shedeur Sanders as a future leader, while the Chargers are looking to bolster their edge defense and tight end positions[5].

#### Offseason Workouts and Free Agency
- The 2025 offseason workout dates have been announced, with teams beginning their voluntary nine-week programs. These programs include phases for strength and conditioning, on-field workouts, and organized team practices (OTAs)[4].
- Free agency has seen significant moves, such as Aaron Jones joining the Vikings and DeAndre Hopkins signing with the Ravens. These signings have impacted teams' draft strategies, with analysts adjusting their mock drafts accordingly[2][5].

#### Other Developments
- The NFL has shortened the notice period for flexing Sunday games to Thursday night from 28 days to 21 days, providing more flexibility in scheduling[2].
- Rookie football development programs will begin on May 12, with post-draft rookie minicamps scheduled for the weekends following the draft[4].

These developments highlight the NFL's ongoing growth, both domestically and internationally, as well as the anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming draft and season.