Viva Mexico

With The Vast Majority Of Their “International Series” Games Historically Being Played In London, You Could Be Excused For Thinking The UK Is The Only Overseas Market The NFL Are Interested In, But “Not So Fast My Friend” As Lee Corso Would Say. On November 21st The Raiders And Texans Played A Regular Season Game In Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. It Wasn’t The First Time The League Had Headed South Of The Border For A Match-Up. In 2005, The 49ers And Cardinals Played In Front Of 103,000 Fervent Fans. For The Recent Game, The Re-Modelled Stadium Was Full To Its New 76,000 Capacity (The Tickets Sold Out In An Hour). The League Is Also Planning Further Games In 2017 And 18.

Over the years, Mexico has also provided playing talent for the NFL, and they now have their own professional league (yes that’s right, a professional league). Last year saw a four-team competition centred around the capital (Mexico City). This season will see an expansion to six teams, bringing in clubs from the north of the country. The players receive $75 per game for their efforts, and games are averaging attendances of 2,000 fans.

The League was the brainchild of Fox Sports Channel presenter, Juan Carlos Vasquez. His connections within the media world have clearly helped move things forward. The league has fourteen sponsors, and TV coverage in the form of a regular highlights show.

Their forward thinking administrators also have a televised university competition, and thanks to a positive grass roots strategy, 2.5 million children play “tochito” (a form of flag football) in Mexican schools. It just goes to show what a bit of drive and determination to take the game forward can do.

For some time now, people have speculated regarding the potential for a permanent London franchise, should the NFL wish to expand. They may wish to add Mexico into that equation.