Brett Gosper: NFL’s Push for Flag Football in the 2028 Olympics
Brett Gosper, NFL’s head of Europe & Asia-Pacific, played a key role in bringing flag football to the 2028 Olympics. With a successful advertising background and Olympic connections, Gosper advocates for the sport’s global expansion. He emphasizes the need for ongoing international engagement and reveals plans for increasing NFL games in various markets, aiming for enduring presence and development at both grassroots and elite levels.
Brett Gosper, a former advertising executive, now serves as the NFL’s head of Europe & Asia-Pacific. His career includes a strong advertising background, where he was mentored by David Ogilvy and developed impactful campaigns like “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” for TAG Heuer. With over three decades in advertising, Gosper transitioned to sports administration with a focus on promoting flag football globally.
Gosper successfully advocated for flag football’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games, emphasizing its potential as a development tool for the NFL. During discussions within the NFL, his persuasive skills and collaboration with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) garnered wide support, showcasing the sport’s growth and appeal.
His Olympic legacy runs deep, linked to his father’s silver medal in the 1956 Olympics and his influence in the International Olympic Committee. During his time at World Rugby, Gosper saw firsthand how rugby sevens transformed the Olympics, motivating him to leverage that experience at the NFL.
At the NFL, Gosper aims to expand American football’s reach internationally, utilizing his knowledge of Olympic structuring and audience engagement. He understands that adding sports like flag football helps local organizing committees differentiate their Olympic experience while engaging communities effectively.
Flag football is essential for youth involvement, allowing young athletes to grasp the game without intense physical contact. With 20 million players across 100 countries, the NFL envisions flag football as a long-term Olympic sport that promotes grassroots development and global interest, particularly for the upcoming Games in Los Angeles.
Gosper highlights the importance of establishing a continuous presence in new international markets for the NFL. Following the pandemic, the league intensified its global outreach, incorporating Germany into its schedule and planning matches in South America and Spain, centralizing efforts to cultivate football’s popularity abroad.
The potential introduction of an NFL team in London remains uncertain, although Dublin and France are considered future host cities. Gosper recognizes the substantial economic impact and excitement NFL events bring to host cities while sustaining a high-profile broadcast in the U.S., making international games valuable showcases for local regions.
With the NFL increasing its international inventory, 2025 is set to be a critical year. An expansion to eight games annually underscores the growing interest from cities worldwide, which recognize the economic and cultural benefits of hosting such high-profile events, enhancing both tourism and local visibility.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
