The NFL probably isn’t expanding internationally any time soon, but its influence abroad is growing year after year.
From investing in youth flag football leagues to a growing circuit of regular season games overseas, the NFL is becoming a global brand. Now, the league is doubling down.
Through its Global Markets Program, the NFL is hoping to grow the game by creating pockets of loyal fans in different hotspots. Instead of particular teams betting others to the international game and monopolizing the market of fans that is largely untapped, teams can be assigned a particular country to host events, advertise, and otherwise affiliate with.
On Monday, the New York Jets received the rights to engage with Ireland for its international endeavors. It’s possible events like an NFL Draft watch party will be in order.
As for why the Jets and Ireland made sense, Team President Hymie Elhai spoke about the geographical connection between the two.
“New York and Ireland have deep historical ties and we are thrilled to have an opportunity to connect with the country’s communities,” he said. “As a franchise we look forward to making an impact throughout Ireland by engaging sports fans and members of the community-at-large in an authentic way by familiarizing them with the New York Jets, how we operate, and the way we engage our fans.”
Of course, Irish immigration significantly influenced the ever-changing New York populace in the 19th century, with many cultural impacts that remain today. Perhaps the new (presumably Kelly green) uniforms will resonate well with their green-and-orange-clad friends in Ireland.
The Jets will share the United Kingdom with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburgh Steelers – the last of which have the rights to Northern Ireland.
One can only imagine what an Irish Super Bowl parade would look like.
