The NFL kicks off its first game ever game in South America tonight when the Green Bay Packers take on the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Good Morning Football on Friday and said staging a game in South America was the next step in making the sport more accessible worldwide.
"We feel like this game is destined to be global," Goodell said when asked if Africa could be the next continent to host a game. "We expect to be in Asia soon. We expect to be in Australia soon. We're going to make sure that our game is available around the globe. And I think the ownership has been great on that. They've passed a resolution where every team is obligated to play (outside the US). We're going to have eight (international) games a year, minimum. And if we do get to an 18 and two (preseason) game season, we likely will see even more international games. And I hope someday we'll be playing 16."
The popularity of the NFL in Brazil has grown significantly, but it isn't a new phenomenon. Fans of the game have been watching for years. Bringing a live contest to the nation was the next step. Goodell noted that you can feel the vibes ahead of Friday's kickoff.
"We want to go where the fans are, where we think a game will really catapult that kind of momentum, and I think that's what will happen here," he said. "The fans here are just going crazy. I think we're getting people who aren't really fans, who are interested, and they're saying, 'What's going on?' The fans here are so passionate about the game, and I think having a chance to have it in their stadium -- we'll be in the Corinthians Stadium, it's a very high-profile, famous stadium. And I think it's going to be a much different atmosphere with an NFL game than you do with soccer. I think the reaction is going to be extraordinary and really help us continue our efforts to make this game global."
The NFL dominates the United States sports landscape. Next stop: The World.
