NFL
The NFL announces international expansion plans in eight countries
The NFL reported that 18 clubs will have direct access to international markets for a minimum period of five years, driving fan growth and avidity globally.
One of Roger Goodell's goals as NFL commissioner is the international expansion of the NFL. Definitively, Goodell’s plan is coming into action as more than half of the league’s teams are expanding globally.
In a press release on Wednesday, the NFL reported that the rights of 26 International Home Marketing Areas programs (IHMA) have been granted to 18 teams across eight different countries.
This initiative, known as IHMA, grants franchises access to international territories to drive NFL fan growth and evolve their global brands through marketing, fan engagement and commercialization.
NFL executive vice president, chief strategy & growth officer Christopher Halpin shared that “this important initiative enables NFL teams to develop meaningful, direct relationships with NFL fans abroad, driving fan growth and avidity globally.”
The league's proposal guarantees the 18 clubs direct access to international markets for a minimum period of five years.
Here are the teams and countries assigned to each other:
Australia: Los Angeles Rams
Brazil: Miami Dolphins
Canada: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks
China: Los Angeles Rams
Germany: Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mexico: Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers
Spain: Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins
United Kingdom: Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers
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With the approval of the International Committee of the NFL, the 32 teams are required to play a game outside the United States within the next eight years.
While the process to designate venues has not yet been announced, several reports indicate that this proposal will give priority to league matches in Germany, Brazil and China.