Brett Gosper: Driving Flag Football’s Olympic Future and NFL’s…

Brett Gosper, a seasoned NFL executive and former advertising leader, played a crucial role in securing flag football’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. With a background in global advertising and experience in sports administration, he utilizes his expertise to elevate the sport’s profile internationally. Flag football aims to establish itself as a long-term Olympic event, promoting growth and engagement within new markets.

Brett Gosper, an influential NFL executive, and former advertising leader, significantly contributed to making flag football part of the 2028 Olympic Games. The Australian has a rich background in advertising, having worked with industry giants like David Ogilvy and McCann Erickson, and authored several well-known slogans. His long career has included global roles, setting the stage for his successful transition to sports administration.

Now 65, Gosper serves as the NFL’s head of Europe and Asia-Pacific, leveraging his advertising expertise to promote flag football, recognized as the sport’s fastest-growing variant. He championed its Olympic inclusion by collaborating effectively within the NFL and with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), firmly establishing support from the NFL’s leadership team.

Gosper’s passion for the Olympics runs deep; his father, Kevan, was an Olympic medalist and served on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for decades. This familial legacy, coupled with his experiences as a semi-professional rugby player in France, fuels his ambition to elevate flag football on the global stage.

His time as CEO of World Rugby gave him insights into the profound impact the Olympics can have on a sport’s growth. He witnessed rugby sevens gain significant global traction after debuting at the 2016 Rio Games, highlighting the Olympics’ potential to elevate lesser-known sports like flag football.

By 2021, when Gosper joined the NFL, he was tasked with expanding American football internationally. His background with the Olympics positioned him well to navigate the intricacies of presenting flag football as a compelling addition to the Games, ensuring it aligns with the local audience’s interests.

Flag football is seen by the NFL as a gateway for 20 million players across 100 countries, allowing participants to learn the basics of American football without the physicality involved in traditional versions. Gosper emphasizes that the sport aims to be more than a temporary Olympic event, aspiring to establish itself as a permanent fixture on the Olympic roster.

He highlights the developmental benefits of Olympic inclusion, anticipating increased funding for both elite and grassroots initiatives. By engaging with a wider audience during the Olympics, the sport can capture new interest in regions where it remains relatively unknown.

The NFL seeks to maintain a consistent international presence, having expanded its reach post-pandemic. Significant matches are already set in Germany and Brazil, with Spain slated to host its first game in 2025, showcasing the NFL’s commitment to growing football’s global footprint.

Gosper acknowledges that successful market engagement requires ongoing efforts, stating that NFL games abroad must not be one-off events. He describes international games as significant occasions, generating excitement and anticipation for subsequent engagements.

While discussions of an NFL team in London have stalled, Dublin and France have surfaced as potential future host cities. The demand for NFL matches in Europe continues to rise, with cities acknowledging the economic and cultural benefits of hosting such high-profile events.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com