MADRID 17 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The American NFL assured this Thursday that the Santiago Bernabéu is “a perfect” and “world-class” stadium to host a league match next season, and sees “very good possibilities” that there will be more in the future because it does not like “arrive at a market and disappear.”
“The Bernabéu is a world-class stadium, it has its own class, it is a ‘cathedral of creativity’ and we are amazed to be able to play here in the future. We have very important partners such as Real Madrid, the city and the Community of Madrid “said Brett Gosper, director of Europe and Asia Pacific for the NFL, following the official announcement that the Miami Dolphins will play in the capital in the 2025 season.
Gosper praised the Madrid venue, which is “physically spectacular.” “It has an incredible past and it is a futuristic stadium, it is a magical stadium and in the heart of the city, which makes it even more spectacular,” he added, pointing out that, in order to host a league match, “always There is some work” to do in the chosen scenarios. “It is a magnificent stadium and we will only have to make small adjustments that we will resolve in the time we have, it will be the perfect stadium,” he admitted.
The manager stressed that “global growth is a priority” for the league and that they want to “share” American football “with everyone.” “We couldn’t be more excited to play a game here, the NFL fan base in Spain is growing and Real Madrid is a global brand to introduce the NFL to a new audience for a truly spectacular sport,” he said.
Gosper is clear that “global growth is not just playing games at an international level” and that the league’s objective is to “grow at all levels”, starting with a market like Spain, “one of the twelve most important for the NFL” and with “enormous potential for growth.
The director of Europe and Asia Pacific of the NFL highlighted that the week of celebrating the game in Madrid will be similar to “a mini Super Bowl for Spain” and that this landing in Spain will help “create good relations between countries and other opportunities for children play another sport. “During that week we build other ties with ‘flag football’ events (the non-contact version of this sport that will be Olympic in 2028) or the teams’ players appear, we create a presence for the entire year,” he explained.
Furthermore, Gosper sees “very good possibilities” for the NFL to ‘set up’ in Madrid. “We’ll talk about it after the game, but the NFL doesn’t want to reach a market and disappear, so I think there will be future games,” he said.
“Our intention is to maintain the cadence in this market and I think that the experiences in London and Berlin (other venues for international matches) have given us the courage to come to a new market. Each market has a different personality, but the interest of the fans must revive it and that is what we want to do in Spain,” he concluded.
THE DOLPHINS: “WE COULDN’T BE MORE EXCITED”
For her part, Pri Shumate, vice president and director of Marketing of the Miami Dolphins, did not hide that Madrid is “a wonderful place.” “For me it is an honor to be here on behalf of the Dolphins, everyone on the team could not be more excited to have been appointed to play in Madrid and in the first NFL game in Spain, in this iconic stadium. How cool “he stressed with a smile.
“The NFL has become a global sport and the Dolphins are a leader in playing international games. This will be our eighth international game and we are engaged in six countries in the NFL’s global market program because American football has the unique power to unite people and teach life lessons,” the executive continued.
Shumate recalled that the NFL “is the greatest sporting spectacle in the world” and that it achieves “a unique experience that transforms spectators into participants” and did not forget “the connection with Spain” of Miami. “We want to be a cultural and sporting bridge with Madrid, both cities are proud of their vibrant tradition and culture. This match marks the beginning of a new era for the Dolphins in Spain and we need to build this future together with you.” he remarked.
Furthermore, he made clear the enthusiasm that exists in a locker room, which has “a very strong connection” with that of Real Madrid in the figures of players like Vinícius Jr and Eder Militao, whom they are “always delighted to receive.” “There is a friendly relationship between the players and the announcement created a lot of joy in the locker room. All the players like to be part of this growth and they want to arrive in a city with a reputation because everything that Madrid brings seems more interesting to them,” he said. .