Commanders will play a key role in helping the NFL further establish its influence across the world of sports
The NFL is always trying to get bigger and better. Now, the Washington Commanders will play a key role in promoting the league's agenda.It was announced Monday at the NFL's Spring Meetings that the Commanders are one of the four new clubs to join the NFL's Global Markets Program, which was created to not only […]
The NFL is always trying to get bigger and better. Now, the Washington Commanders will play a key role in promoting the league's agenda.
It was announced Monday at the NFL's Spring Meetings that the Commanders are one of the four new clubs to join the NFL's Global Markets Program, which was created to not only help the league spread its influence and exposure around the globe, but to help franchises establish a foothold in respective markets.
Launched in 2022, the Global Markets Program awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events, commercial opportunities and NFL Flag development. – NFL Communications
The Commanders are officially one of three teams that will try and build a fanbase in the United Arab Emirates – the Los Angeles Rams and San Fransisco 49ers are the other two. This is the first time the NFL has opened its doors to the UAE and it now has 29 of its 32 teams participating in the Global Markets Program. The only non-participants are the Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills.
The big takeaway from the development is the fact that this could eventually get to a point where the UAE hosts an NFL game. The league has been looking into the idea of playing in Abu Dhabi, as the area has plenty of infrastructure and cash to make it happen. It also gels with the recent trend of the Middle East becoming more and more ingrained into western sports. Not only do you have the UAE and its connections within the mixed martial arts world and more specifically the UFC, but there's Saudi Arabia and its investment into LIV Golf, as well.
If things come to fruition, it'd be the NFL's first-ever venture into the Middle East as a whole.
Global Finance Magazine ranked the UAE as the world's sixth-wealthiest nation in 2024 when based off GDP per capita/constant prices. Uniwide.com projects it'll finish 2025 as the 15th-richest country when applying their specific formula.
This is all down the road as things are obviously in the infancy stages of setting up an NFL identity, but there's a path to it all and the wheels are certainly in motion. Knowing how much the NFL wants to push its international agenda, it won't be a surprise if it happens sooner rather than later.
