Eleven years ago, when the NFL played its first regular-season game outside the U.S., it was in Mexico City in front of more than 103,000 people -- "a resounding statement that football could travel," according to Judy Battista of NFL.com. The lure of London "was strong, though -- the bigger market, the potential for greater riches, the ease of a shared language" -- so when the NFL "focused in earnest" on expanding its int'l footprint, it headed to the U.K. But when the NFL returns to Mexico City on Monday night for a game between the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Texans, it will be "the first of what the NFL plans to be an annual game in Mexico." NFL Exec VP/Int'l Mark Waller said that "this Mexico City game in Estadio Azteca is a test run of sorts." And "if all goes well, the NFL will play another regular-season game in Mexico next season and, it hopes, for years to come," adding another recurring int'l game to the three that are now played every year in London. Waller: "My goal would be similar to the U.K., where we're able to go back at least once a year and create our piece of the Mexico City sporting calendar. Mexico City has the size of NFL fan base that would rival any city in the United States. The area is 22 million people. It's a huge and very passionate fan base." The NFL has been televised in Mexico since the '60s, and in addition to the popularity of California and Texas teams because of their proximity, the Pittsburgh Steelers "have an enormous following" -- the team's fan club in Mexico is believed to be the largest outside of Pittsburgh -- because of the franchise's success in the '70s, when Mexican fans were "first getting acquainted with the sport." When tickets went on sale in July for Monday night's game, the NFL announced that they sold out in 30 minutes. The "other appealing part of Mexico" for the league: unlike games in London, which, because of the time difference, can only be played in the early afternoon for broadcast on Sunday mornings in the U.S., games in Mexico City, which is in the Central time zone, "can be played in the highest-profile Sunday and Monday prime-time slots." For teams, "concerns about travel length and time changes are diminished," but they will be forced to focus instead on "dealing with Mexico City's altitude." Waller: "I believe one of our unique advantages is because of our schedule, we can play in many different places. I would love to think over time we could play in other cities in Mexico. I think we should play in Canada. I think we should play in Germany. ... I like the London strategy, but I think it was narrow. I would love to think, 10 years out, in a season we were playing Mexico City, Vancouver, Berlin, three or four in London. That feels very inclusive" (NFL.com, 11/19).
SUPER SECURITY: In Mexico City, Michel Cruz reported NFL Mexico Dir Arturo Olivé said that the league and Mexico City police "are working together to guarantee the security of fans during the game," with operations similar to those implemented for the Super Bowl. Olivé: "The protocol that is normally applied for events like the Super Bowl is being carried out. ... The NFL is not sparing anything to guarantee the security of the game, as this is not just any game for the league, but an event of great importance." He added that Estadio Azteca "will be closed 72 hours before the game and access will be limited to ESPN's production team in preparation for the game" (LA AFICIÓN, 11/16).
MUÑOZ SPEAKS OUT: Also in Mexico City, Ariel Velázquez reported NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz said, "I hope they schedule more NFL games in Mexico, two or three per year or at least one every season and not wait 11 years" (EL UNIVERSAL, 11/19). The AP's Carlos Rodriguez reported the NFL has around 25 million fans in Mexico, "the biggest number" outside of the U.S., and Olivé said that its base "is still growing." The league sponsors 6,500 teams in youth programs in 27 of 32 Mexican states, and "estimates 2.5 million kids play flag football in elementary schools." Olivé: "Eight years ago, we played in only six states and had 120 teams. The growth has been exponential." Mexico has "two popular college leagues with 36 teams, a six-team professional league," and up to 10 NFL games are on basic cable each week (AP, 11/16).
