Shock report claims NFL could play controversial game in Middle East city as International Series expansion continues for $13 billion sports league
The United Kingdom, Germany and Brazil have already received highly prized NFL games.
As the United States' most popular sport continues to flex its financial muscles, a league that made $13 billion in 2023 plans to keep expanding its list of travel destinations.
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Next up could be a city that is increasingly popular in the international sports world, but would be controversial to some NFL fans.
"You're going to see a whole lot more international games, starting next year," CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported on Sunday. "The NFL is expanding its international helping to eight games.
"One city the league is looking closely at: Abu Dhabi.
"That's right. The capital of the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East, with its incredible wealth.
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"Many sports leagues are doing business over there and the NFL did a site survey within the past year to see how they could pull off a game there."
Jones then mentioned the 'human rights record in the UAE'.
"The league has internally dealt with questions on how female coaches and personnel staff would have to handle a trip there, among other issues," he said.
An NFL game is planned in Madrid during the 2025 season, Jones said, and Brazil is expected to receive another contest.
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Meanwhile, Ireland could host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the future.
London has received three games in the last two seasons, including two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley Stadium.
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On Sunday, Aaron Rodgers shook off two early interceptions to make NFL history, but failed to rally the New York Jets past the undefeated Minnesota Vikings late in the fourth quarter.
Ireland, Australia, France and Italy have also received site visits, according to CBS Sports.
"Keep your eye ... on Abu Dhabi," Jones said.
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The initial fan reaction on social media was not encouraging for the NFL.
"Don’t," one fan tweeted.
"LIV golf 2.0," a second fan posted.
"They don’t care about the product, they only care about the profit," a third fan said.
"Booooooooooo," a fourth fan wrote.
The FIFA World Cup, Formula One and the NBA have all been associated with Abu Dhabi in recent years.
On Sunday, the defending champions Boston Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in a preseason game at the Etihad Arena before an announced crowd of 12,002.
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Milwaukee and Atlanta faced off in 2022, while Dallas and Minnesota played each other last year.
The Team USA men's basketball squad played exhibitions in Abu Dhabi before winning the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
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