Seahawks, Patriots To Play First NFL Game In China Next Year

Patriots, Seahawks To Play Preseason Game In China

The Seahawks and the Patriots will play the first NFL preseason game in China next summer, according to Mike Sando of the Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE. NFL officials have discussed a plan for the Patriots to “spend a week in Seattle, possibly playing an exhibition game.” The teams would then “travel to China for several days of practices and public appearances, followed by another game.” League sources confirmed the plans, but the Seahawks “declined to discuss specifics or even confirm them, pending a formal announcement by the league” (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 8/27). The Patriots in September ‘04 became the first NFL team with a Chinese-language Web site (THE DAILY).

DRY RUN: In Boston, Ron Borges reported the game “would be used as a dry run by both Chinese officials preparing to stage the 2008 Games and NBC, which would televise the game and use the experience to prepare for its Olympic broadcasts.” The NFL held a preseason game in Australia in ’99, a year before the ‘00 Sydney Games. The goal of holding a game in China is “to reach the largest consumer market in the world with a game that has only recently been introduced there.” CCTV, China’s national TV network, will simulcast NBC’s Sunday night games this year, as well as the Dolphins-Steelers Thursday night opener on September 7. The league has sent reps to China several times to “discuss possible ventures, including a trip last May,” which featured outgoing NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Eagles TE Chad Lewis, who is fluent in Mandarin. Also, the Raiders recently hosted coaches from China’s flag football program, which has participated in the NFL’s Flag Football World Championships since ’03. NFL Senior Dir of Int’l Public Affairs Pete Abitante said, “We’re trying to open doors there little by little” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/27).