American Football
Features
LA Chargers leverage huge reach with “Bolt Up Your Small Business” initiative
The National Football League's Los Angeles Chargers, by offering a free team sponsorship through a new sweepstakes, are looking to reach out in a very different way to a local business community battered by the Covid-19 pandemic
“Change is hard” – Los Angeles Rams refresh brand identity to mixed reception from fans
To coincide with their move to a new stadium, the LA Rams have unveiled a dramatic new look. Bob Williams speaks to Rams CMO Ronalee Zarate-Bayani about the process behind the redesign
Hail to the new stadium? Redskins long search for new facility taking many detours
Civic stronghold NFL team enjoyed for decades now overtaken by fandom for the crosstown Nationals and Capitals
Super Bowl LIV sees historic ticket demand, fueled in part by On Location Experiences
Eric Fisher takes a look at the ticketing market ahead of this Sunday's Super Bowl in Miami.
China’s sporting riches still out of reach for NFL
The NFL’s decision to pitch its marketing to Chinese sports fans in lifestyle terms doesn’t seem to be working yet, according to Chen Yaolin.
NFL’s Vincent: We’re planning on full stadiums
League executive says it's proceeding with plans "until the medical community tells us otherwise"
ESPN unveils multi-part Tom Brady docuseries
Following the historic success of The Last Dance, ESPN has announced a new nine-part documentary series about legendary New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, which will be released in 2021
NCAA to allow player workouts for football, basketball
College governing body lifts moratorium on voluntary player activities
CFL eyes “shortened but meaningful season” from September
The Canadian Football League is now hoping to stage a "shortened but meaningful season" from September amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, while the traditional Grey Cup Festival format has been changed
Ahead of Super Bowl LIV, Miami sets sights on hosting NFL showpiece again by 2030
Miami will stage the Super Bowl this week for the first time in 10 years. Bob Williams looks at the measures officials are taking to ensure the city doesn't wait so long to host the prestigious event again.
XFL confident its second act will prove a success and avoid same fate as AAF
With the revamped XFL football league kicking off in February, Bob Williams takes a look at the measures Vince McMahon's latest project is taking in order to prosper.
New Orleans uses Sugar Bowl to bring College Football Playoff title game to city
College football's showpiece event is often a loss-making venture for its hosts but the generosity of the Sugar Bowl has brought this year's game to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Jim Rooney remembers his father’s outsized NFL legacy in new book
SportBusiness' US Editor Eric Fisher speaks to the son of the late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney about his legacy and the current state of the Rooney Rule and the NFL at large.
San Francisco 49ers continue concessions revolution with unlimited food and drink menu
Bob Williams looks at how the San Francisco 49ers looking to create a better game-day experience for their fans, starting with the concessions stand.
NFL stadiums are key testing ground for 5G mobile rollout in US
Expansive size and density of some of US' largest sports facilities provide a fertile environment to experiment with next-generation mobile technology. Story by Rick Snider.
Al Guido “we are struggling with the same thing” speaking at SDMS Miami
San Francisco 49ers Al Guido speaking at the Sports Decision Makers Summit in Miami on the game day experience panel
Nashville looking to utilise NFL Draft to become 2026 World Cup host venue
Music at heart of experience as tourism chiefs try to set stage for bigger events
Tennessee capital one of 17 US cities vying to make final cut for Fifa showpiece
Pittsburgh Steelers steal a march on rivals in international social media battle
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long maintained a sizeable global following. Ryan Huzjak, their vice-president of sales and marketing, tells SportBusiness how they are now using social media to engage with, grow, and monetise that audience.
Comeback or a temporary correction? NFL domestic TV audiences recover in 2018-19
After consecutive years of falling television ratings, NFL domestic television audiences increased by five per cent in the recently concluded 2018-19 season.
49ers draw on SAP partnership to improve fan experience in real time
The ‘Executive Huddle’ – the SAP-powered venue-management platform at Levi’s Stadium – has put the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers at the forefront of fan experience management and shows how far partnerships between tech companies and rights-holders can go beyond sponsorship.
AMB Group utilising Super Bowl LIII to join rotation of NFL’s showpiece game
Securing ‘big global events’ is a primary aim of Mercedes-Benz Stadium ownership
Hosting a semi-final of 2026 Fifa World Cup also in sights of $1.5bn
Atlanta’s unified Host Committee model offers template for other US host cities
Core group organising three major events in as many years at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Super Bowl LIII staff have taken key learnings from 2018 college football title game at venue
LA Rams use Super Bowl run to showcase $5bn stadium complex
Team using moment in spotlight to help fund construction of transformative new venue
Key stakeholders will be invited to Atlanta; meetings with potential partners also arranged
Alliance of American Football bets on player data to fill NFL off-season void
Wearable devices will enable biometric data to be used in-game and in real time for wagering
App has been created that will allow gamblers to simultaneously watch a game and bet on it
Bonus structu
London is just the start of the NFL’s plans for global domination
Mark Waller, executive vice-president, international and events at the NFL, hopes for a London-based franchise by 2022
Jaguars’ leap into London boosts ‘local’ revenues and offers long-term growth platform
The Jaguars have played an annual fixture in London since 2013, with the city now accounting for 11 per cent of their “local” revenues.
Atlanta Falcons’ concession-pricing trades small revenue dip for major goodwill gains
NFL franchise slashed the price of food and drink at their new Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Revenue decline less than anticipated; fan response greater