Unofficial until the NFL’s league meeting on Wednesday, details of team international market assignments have emerged, according to Sports Business Journal.
In October, the NFL allowed teams to market in specific foreign countries for the first time ever, with new regulations that authorize promotional tours, merchandise, and sponsorships.
Last month, 19 of the NFL’s 32 clubs submitted a total of 28 bids across eight countries.
- Australia: Los Angeles Rams
- Brazil: Miami Dolphins
- Canada: Seattle Seahawks
- China: Rams
- Germany: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers
- Spain: Chicago Bears
- United Kingdom: San Francisco 49ers, Bears
International market assignments will be finalized pending approval by all 32 NFL owners. The NFL, which has 190 million fans in the U.S., expects its next 50 million fans to come from abroad.
High Demand in Mexico
There is speculation that the NFL will allow more than its original target of six teams in Mexico since the country received the largest number of bids, ahead of the U.K. and Germany.
The Dallas Cowboys, Rams and 49ers are likely to secure market access in Mexico — which has roughly 48.5 million NFL fans — but it’s not yet clear exactly how those assignments will pan out.
