NFL, US State Department launch partnership to enhance global sports diplomacy

The United States Department of State and the NFL announced Thursday that they signed a memorandum of knowing (MOU) that launches a public-private concern to heighten the Department’s sports diplomacy initiatives.

The NFL and the U.S. Department of State volition collaborate connected large sporting events, specified arsenic planetary NFL games, the Super Bowl and the debut of emblem shot astatine the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

They person affirmed their committedness to promoting shot internationally arsenic a means to heighten taste exchange, younker engagement and nationalist diplomacy efforts. The memorandum of knowing was executed betwixt Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers and NFL executives astatine a signing ceremonial astatine the State Department successful Washington, D.C.

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An NFL shot with the "250" logo commemorating the 250th day during the NFL crippled betwixt the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium successful Atlanta, Georgia, connected Jan. 4, 2026. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"As President Trump has said, shot reflects our timeless American values of family, freedom, unity and hard work. The State Department is arrogant to spouse with the National Football League to item American excellence done sports diplomacy, increasing the uniquely American crippled of shot to caller audiences, caller markets and caller planetary fans," Rogers said successful a statement.

"Football has the powerfulness to bring radical unneurotic crossed borders and backgrounds," NFL enforcement vice president for nationalist affairs and argumentation Jeff Miller said successful a statement. "This concern with the State Department volition beryllium invaluable arsenic we enactment to turn our crippled astir the world."

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks connected the tract anterior to a crippled betwixt the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers successful an NFC Divisional Round crippled astatine Lumen Field successful Seattle, Washington, connected Jan. 17, 2026. (Steven Bisig/Imagn Images)

The 2 volition collaborate astir planetary games to convene with U.S. and overseas leaders to enactment sports diplomacy. The NFL volition proceed to big events, clinics, and grooming sessions abroad.

The concern highlights the taste values successful football, specified arsenic teamwork, perseverance, subject and sportsmanship. The State Department and the NFL are moving to big 150 events successful much than 65 countries crossed 5 continents.

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The NFL shield logo astatine midfield during the 2024 NFL Munich Game astatine Allianz Arena. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

The Department’s sports diplomacy programs, done the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), will leverage existent and erstwhile NFL players and coaches arsenic taste ambassadors. They volition besides summation enactment for nationalist diplomacy programs astatine U.S. embassies and consulates for events specified arsenic Super Bowl ticker parties and emblem shot clinics for young planetary athletes.

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