DANA POINT, Calif. (AP) – More games that count, perhaps as early as August 2011? That’s exactly what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants.

There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games, including reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the players union. Still, the commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings.

“It’s possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this,” Goodell said Wednesday.

“Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it’s clear we don’t need four preseason games anymore.”

Goodell said the league has not seriously discussed the subject with its broadcast partners. He couldn’t imagine them not being interested in more meaningful games.

“I think the quality of NFL programming, that every one of our network partners would say, if they have the chance to have more regular-season programming, they’d be interested in it,” Goodell said. “A key point is the fans also recognize players they want to see are not in those preseason games; that’s why they are not attractive. They want to see those players play.”

As for those players and their union, Goodell recognizes an expanded schedule will be part of CBA negotiations; owners opted out of the current deal last year, and it expires after the 2010 schedule, which would be an uncapped season.

“Under the current agreement, addition regular-season games would not be covered,” Goodell said.

Among the issues team owners must discuss is when the regular season would begin, how deep into February the playoffs and Super Bowl would go, and when the offseason programs – including the combine and the draft – would be held.

AP-ES-03-25-09 1547EDT