By Rory Carroll
(Reuters) – The NFL’s discussions with Brazil toward a contract that would see games played there for years to come continue, with a league official on Wednesday saying the response to its September matchup in Sao Paulo proved the market is strong.
In the NFL’s first foray into South America, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers 34-29 at NeoQuimica Arena in a sold-out game that generated an estimated $61 million in economic impact.
“I’m not going to comment on the specific terms of the deal but what I would say is the results of the game in Sao Paulo and the response from fans and our partners on the ground warrants a long-term commitment,” NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly told reporters.
“What that looks like and how that comes to life as it relates to games is being worked through. But the pebble was dropped, maybe something larger than a pebble, in terms of the positive ripple that came out of that.
“It warrants a market that we’re committed to over the long term.”
The NFL has ramped up its push into overseas markets in recent years and has announced five overseas games next season, three in London, one in Berlin and one in Madrid.
It could host as many as eight games with Brazil likely to be named as a destination once again.
“Our fundamental goal is to continue our journey to be a true global sport property and we’re on that path,” O’Reilly said.
The NFL will look to capitalize on the excitement around the Feb. 9 Super Bowl in New Orleans by hosting watch parties in more than a dozen countries around the globe.
“That’s the passion at all hours of our fans and we need to serve them,” he said.
“We’re committed for the long haul.”
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Michael Perry)
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