You may think that a sport known as American football would be isolated. While it’s true that the only competition that matters is based in the United States, it’s become a global phenomenon.
The National Football League has worked hard to promote the game across the world, to the point where around 18 million viewers tune in for each match. The NFL can be proud of its achievements, but it won’t be complacent about the future.
Spreading the Word
The NFL’s overseas program has helped to engage viewers in other countries. In a bold move, the league sanctioned regular season games in Mexico, England, France and elsewhere. The digital revolution has also helped to build audiences at home and overseas, through social media platforms and the league’s official website.
An unexpected boost came in 2018 when the US Supreme Court overturned an earlier ruling that outlawed sports betting in the country. It was now over to individual state governments to rule over online betting, and the NFL has since enjoyed extra revenue through sponsorships and advertising.
The National Football League continues to progress, and its future plans involve expansion of existing ideas, while embracing new innovations.
Extending Overseas
The global events of 2020 placed a temporary hold on the NFL’s plans to take the game overseas. Fortunately, the program is back on, and London is a major focal point for regular season games.
In September 2023, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium agreed a new deal to host matches through to the 2030 campaign. Effectively, the ground has become the home of the NFL in the UK.
Britain has a willing fanbase for NFL games, but does the league plan to take their competition into new territories? According to informed reports, there are discussions over playing official matches in Abu Dhabi.
Many top sports have moved towards the UAE in recent years, and it would be no surprise to see the NFL follow suit. This is another region where the sport is in great demand, so the league can expect packed stadiums wherever they choose to host.
Driving Inclusivity
Like other sports around the world, American football is currently male-dominated, and this is a situation that the NFL will need to address. It’s important to be inclusive to attract new audiences and to avoid negative press.
A good comparison can be found in basketball which has a women’s version. The WNBA attracts world class athletes, and is a competition attracting big audiences. American football may be some way behind, but there should be an aim for a women’s version at some point in the future.
The NFL should also look at using more female officials, while there is also the LGBTQ and disabled communites to consider. Fans and sponsors look favorably on sports that are more inclusive and this issue will undoubtedly be among the NFL’s plans.
Radical Next Steps
One of the big questions raised over the NFL’s future relates to the possibility of having an official franchise based outside of the US. If this were to happen, an NFL team located in England, seems the most likely, considering the deal between the league and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The issue is that Spurs need their ground for Premier League soccer which clashes with the NFL season. Wembley Stadium is another potential venue, but it may be some time before this happens.
The NFL has no clear official stance on the matter, other than stating that an overseas franchise is a possibility. Many believe that it will happen, and it’s simply a case of when and not if.
Once an overseas franchise is established, the sport has the potential to grow exponentially. Discussion will include more foreign teams, but a more lasting impression would be created by incepting separate leagues.
When interest in the NFL exploded around Europe in the 1980s, many American football leagues were set up. The most notable of these was NFL Europe, and while the competition has since been disbanded, the time may be right to bring it back.
Officially sanctioned NFL leagues in other parts of the world are another option for the future. The aim is to grow the game, and what better way than to get people playing the sport while building up a grassroots pathway.
It’s positive to see the NFL’s plans for future growth. They are already a global success, but no sport can afford to stand still. Many of the new developments are likely to focus on the game outside of the US. More overseas matches will take place, and there’s the ongoing question of a foreign franchise.
Other plans are open to debate, and all that’s certain is that the NFL will strive hard to ensure that their competition continues to grow on a global basis.
