(Agence Ecofin) – With the success of the Basketball Africa League in terms of audience and exposure of the sport, other American sports disciplines wish to export and market their image in Africa. After the National Basketball Association, it could be the turn of the NFL, the American football league.
The Philadelphia Eagles football team will become the first NFL team to receive commercial rights in Africa. The information was announced by the American Football League last week. As part of the NFL’s international marketing program, the team will be able to organize events in Ghana and promote its brand there.
Philadelphia Eagles are headed to Ghana. pic.twitter.com/RBxWnCkZcS
— ?? (@BellaBizzyBody) May 28, 2022
“The Philadelphia Eagles organization is privileged to have one of the most passionate and dedicated fan bases in all of sport. We are constantly looking for opportunities to connect with new fans while expanding our brand reach nationally and internationally. With the NFL having identified Australia, New Zealand and Ghana as emerging markets for our league, we see a tremendous opportunity for our team. We are extremely proud to be the first NFL team to launch marketing, fan engagement and merchandising initiatives in Africa, as we establish a visible presence in Ghana.”said team owner Jeffrey Lurie.
In countries where it is possible, the extension of marketing has made it possible to play league matches, but this will not be possible in Ghana. For now, the Eagles are just planning to host events to promote American football and the team’s brand. We are still far from it, but this type of initiative could lead to the organization of American football matches and competitions on the continent.
In the case of Basketball, the sport had already been practiced in Africa and broadcast on television for several years. The NFL’s African audience is still embryonic, but the American league is looking for ambassadors for the sport with the aim of creating, in the near future, an equivalent of the Basketball Africa League for its discipline.
Servan Ahougnon
