WASHINGTON—The NFL and the U.S. State Department signed a memorandum of understanding on Jan. 29 to establish a public-private partnership to advance the department’s sports diplomacy efforts.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on major sporting events, including international NFL games, the Super Bowl, and the debut of flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, according to the State Department.
The memorandum was signed by the league and Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers.
The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will work with the NFL to support international flag football tournaments, training camps, and exchange programs, and to integrate American football-themed programming into public diplomacy efforts at U.S. embassies, the league said in a statement.
“Football has the power to bring people together across borders and backgrounds,” NFL executive vice president for Public Affairs and Policy Jeff Miller said in the statement. “This partnership with the State Department will be invaluable as we work to grow our game around the world.”
Rogers said the agreement would help expand the reach of the American-invented sport globally.
“As President Trump has said, football reflects our timeless American values of family, freedom, unity, and hard work,” she said.
“The State Department is proud to partner with the National Football League to highlight American excellence through sports diplomacy, growing the uniquely American game of football to new audiences, new markets, and new international fans.”
The NFL said it will continue hosting football events, clinics, and training sessions overseas and, where possible, will provide access to players, coaches, and program materials in priority global markets.
The State Department declined to release a copy of the memorandum when requested by The Epoch Times.
As part of Super Bowl programming, the State Department is working with the NFL to host approximately 150 events in more than 65 countries. The league has previously facilitated Super Bowl and international game watch parties at U.S. embassies and consulates.
The NFL currently stages several international regular-season games each year. During the most recent season, seven games were played abroad in Brazil, Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Germany hosted games in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, while the other countries each hosted one game.
For next season, international games will be played in Munich, Germany; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Melbourne, Australia. The teams for those games have not been selected.
The NFL is not the only sports organization working with the State Department. The department is also facilitating visas for international teams and fans traveling to the United States for the FIFA World Cup in June.
