NFL CFO on expanding the league globally

Key Concepts:

• Global expansion of a popular US sport
• Building international fandom
• Strategic investment and patience
• Long-term returns

Main Topics and Key Points:

The speaker emphasizes that global expansion is the company's top investment priority. The core idea is to leverage the existing popularity of the sport in the United States, where it has become a "real unifier," and extend its reach internationally. However, the speaker acknowledges that they are not entering new markets as the dominant sport and have "a long way to go."

Strategy and Approach:

The strategy that led to success in the US will need to be adapted for international markets. This requires developing "new muscles" and thinking differently. The speaker stresses the importance of patience, investment, and starting with building fandom as a foundation for long-term returns.

Investment and Time:

The speaker explicitly states that global expansion will require significant investment and time. This underscores the long-term commitment and the understanding that immediate returns are not expected.

Potential and Opportunity:

Despite the challenges, the speaker highlights the "huge" potential to become a global property and bring the sport to the rest of the world. This potential is framed as a "huge opportunity" for the company.

Notable Quotes:

• "It is clearly our top investment priority right now."
• "...more than just a sport but a real unifier..."
• "...we're going to have to develop new muscles and think about it a little bit differently..."
• "...we're going to have to be patient in doing so and it's going to take investment and time..."
• "...the potential to be a global property and to bring this great game to the rest of the world uh is huge for us it's a huge opportunity."

Logical Connections:

The speaker establishes a clear connection between the sport's success in the US and the desire to replicate that success globally. However, they acknowledge the need for a different approach, emphasizing patience and investment in building fandom as prerequisites for long-term financial returns. The potential for global growth is presented as the driving force behind this strategic priority.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The company is prioritizing the global expansion of a popular US sport, recognizing the need for a long-term, patient approach focused on building international fandom. This strategy requires significant investment and a willingness to adapt the successful US model to new markets. The potential for global growth is seen as a substantial opportunity.