NFL International Series

I think people are reading too much into things. The game was a huge success. Firstly, Dublin was never considered to be an annual event, but part of a future rotation with 1 or 2 other smaller market cities. I think that's the end game here.

There are a number of specific factors that feed into a decision on the next Dublin game including:

1. The Department of Sport is a little too focused on visiting American fans. It simply doesnt understand the sport or the reasons why the NFL is overseas.

2. The Department is focused on the 2027 Ryder Cup and isnt focused on the NFL, or anything else new, right now.

3. The deal with ALCFC goes to 2027. There is a fear (unfounded in my opinion - down to lack of understanding of the diffrrent dynamic of each event, by Department officials) that the NFL will impact negatively on ALCFC over the next 2 years.

4. Other Governments are putting a lot more support on the table than ours.

5. There are some issues in the domestic game - which are a consequence of bad decisions/interference by Sport Ireland in recent years, rather than the sport itself - which mitigate against the expansion of the sport, especially kids flag - which is one of the aims of the series.

All in all, the NFL wants to come back, but, for a small market like Ireland, officialdom needs to be on top of things. Hopefully things will improve post 2027.

Not really surprised. Our basic infrastructure like transport is pretty poor even more so for Croke Park than the Aviva. Also the player that was assaulted in Dublin may have played some part in the decision too. That wasn't a good look.

At the end of the day big events carry demands and responsibilities. Can Dublin honestly be considered the same proposition as the chosen locations?

Hopefully in 10 years time when we have better infrastructure but today I'd have to say no.

The point about attracting American fans is also an excellent one. Great and all for us but that's not the NFL's idea for these games.

I would say we were given the opportunity and it probably exposed some shortcomings we should fix. We can't compete on market size but we can improve in other areas.

The biggest compliment the American's had was that you could walk to the venue from the city centre, that is not a thing in american sports, or London, so it has nothing to do with infrastructure.

The reality is that we weren't supposed to get a game until 27 at the earliest, Probably 28, but a few prominent voices in the Rooney family and McAfee making us look like the coolest place on planet earth got us bumped up the list, I can't see us getting another game until 28 but we will get another one, unless a team specifically requests to play here before then.

Two points. Firstly, How do you know I'm not an NFL fan and was, in fact, at the game?

Secondly, I'm not sure the approach of not addressing shortcomings is the best way of seeing us getting another international game anytime soon.

I hope I'm wrong on that.

Also, don't blindly listen to corporate comfort statements either.

Actually also on the assault - it either happened or it didn't. There is no suggestion it didn't happen just because no complaint was filed. I don't know if it was partly considered but my point stands - not a great look.

I think the shortcoming is that Dublin and Ireland are a small market on the edge of Europe and there are much bigger markets for the NFL to target not that far away.

It's got nothing to do with the infrastructure, just the reality of the above.

We will probably end up in some four or five year rotation for a game.

I think it was more naunced than him getting mugged.

There were suggestions that he was drunk himself and may have been the instigator of whatever altercation happened.

I just remembered hearing that at the time, I've no source for it.

He was a backup QB on injured reserve, he was not part of the game day squad, and I recall talk of whether teams should even bring these guys who are not going play on such trips.

There is a risk that they go out on the town, have a few too many and get into trouble, they are 20 something aged lads after all.

Couple of updates over the last week.

Jags will play 2 home games in London in 2026, one each at Wembley & Spurs.
Commanders will play a home game at Spurs.
Falcons will play a home game in Madrid (likely against Bears or Chiefs).