The NFL has been on a mission to grow its international footprint in recent years as it strives to increase the global popularity of American Football.
Establishing roots in the Middle East has become a viable option, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the centre of the conversation.
The sport has grown increasingly popular in the UAE, and the NFL can capitalise on their appetite for the game to build its presence in this untapped region.
The UAE has the infrastructure, financial means and interest in hosting massive sporting events. Staging the Super Bowl would be easy for them.
If NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent comments are anything to go by, the ambitious idea might not be as far-fetched as it once seemed.
This could potentially be massive news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who already have a sizeable fanbase in the Middle East.
The UAE Has Become a Big-Hitter in Professional Sports
The UAE has become a significant player in the sports ecosystem, hosting Formula 1, major football tournaments, world championship boxing and more. The NFL could be next.
The NFL has spent the past two decades devising new ways to grow the game internationally, and they view the UAE as a viable option for staging games.
Unlike some of their European counterparts, playing NFL games in the UAE does not necessarily pose the same logistical and weather problems.
Sports arenas such as the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai are designed with state-of-the-art facilities.
They have retractable roofs that help to regulate weather conditions on the pitch while addressing any concerns around extreme heat.
The UAE is also centrally located, allowing easy access for fans travelling from Europe, Asia, North America and elsewhere in the world.
The UAE’s Changing Stance on Gambling is Fuelling Sports Growth
The UAE has become a more attractive destination for the NFL after softening its stance towards the gambling industry over the past couple of years.
A federal authority has been established to regulate land-based and online gaming in a move which flies in the face of traditional restrictions in the Middle East.
The move will legitimise the UAE betting sites currently operating there and open the door for other operators to jump on the bandwagon.
This could be a big deal for the NFL given that American Football attracts massive interest from Arab punters and the global betting community.
However, while the relaxation of the laws governing gambling is a positive step, there are other challenges the UAE must overcome if the NFL is to stage games there.
Player Welfare Could be an Issue
The travel logistics could be a nightmare for the players. For instance, the flight distance from Tampa Bay to Dubai is approximately 7,800 miles.
However, these difficulties are not insurmountable if sufficient time is built into the NFL schedule to allow players to rest and recovery from the journey.
While player welfare is undoubtedly a major consideration, the growth opportunities for the NFL are potentially too lucrative to ignore.
Teams such as the Buccaneers would benefit massively from the exposure if the NFL takes a regular-season game or the Super Bowl to the Middle East. They could secure new sponsorship deals while expanding their fanbase in an exciting new market.
It is likely to be a matter of when and not if the NFL will touchdown in the Middle East, opening the door for further expansion in a market which has traditionally been a closed shop.
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