Expanding the Gridiron: Three Strategies for the NFL's International Growth
Image Credit: Thomas
The National Football League is expanding well beyond the North American borders. For instance, the Chicago Bears played the Oakland Raiders in 2019. The game was in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The game drew a crowd of over 60,000 fans. This is one example of the many international games held, and the European fan base is growing year on year. Yet, this is only the start, so the NFL will want to grow the sport internationally to a much bigger scale. There are many options that would help the NFL do so.
An International Franchise
As stated before, the NFL already goes abroad for a few games in the regular season. Countries such as Great Britain, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico have all hosted NFL games. One thing is teams coming to the countries. Another is having a franchise outside the USA. London is the obvious choice and has a rich history with the NFL. Cultural differences and logistical issues may also pose challenges. An NFL team moving outside of America is unlikely but possible. The league would need to consider and address these challenges.
Hosting Big Games
The games have a great atmosphere. Fans pack stadiums when the NFL comes to town. It begs the question whether the NFL would ever let London host a big game. For example, the Super Bowl, the AFC or NFC championship game, or the Pro Bowl. The Super Bowl is a bit too far-fetched as it is such a big game for Americans. Yet, you could argue that it's okay to host the AFC or NFC championship games. This is because it is a very important game. Furthermore, teams would have a week to recover. So, they should be fit for travel and have no issues. Finally, the Pro Bowl could be a good option. It's a one-time event that could become a huge global event. Hosting these big games abroad could greatly boost the NFL's global exposure. It could also boost fan engagement. This would help grow the sport worldwide.
International League
Many European cities would want an NFL team. Each has a good case for having one. The international player pathway is a success. It shows that athletes are worldwide for the NFL. A global league could help grow and develop players who could go to the NFL. It could act as a feeder league like the G-League with the NBA. The league would let the international athlete develop at their own pace. It would make sure they are good enough to compete in the NFL. Also, NFL teams could be linked with international teams. There could be a clear path to a spot on the roster. It would help the league get more foreign athletes involved. Also, it would also give countries their own American football team.
The growth for the NFL on an international level has been incredible. As we look to the future, what do you think the next steps should be?
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