DUSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Five-on-five, no contact and an emphasis on speed and elusiveness. The future of football around the world looks different.The NFL is still hoping to reap the rewards. The league is making its presence known this week in Dusseldorf as the German city hosts the first-ever Olympic qualifier in flag football, a game the NFL sees as a way to turn viewers into players and lifelong fans.There are already NFL-branded flag classes in schools from Europe to Australia, Olympic medals on offer in Los Angeles in two years’ time and NFL-backed leagues coming soon that could offer a livelihood to some of the more than 300 players from 18 countries participating in the qualifiers that began Thursday and which double as the world championships. “If it all plays out the way it should, it’s life-changing,” said U.S. quarterback Nico Casares, whose team already has a spot in LA since it represents the host nation.
Why the NFL wants the world to play football, not just watchThe International Federation of American Football runs the Olympic qualifiers and championship tournament, where the top two men’s and women’s teams will earn a spot in LA, but it also has a long-term partnership with the NFL and the league’s logo is everywhere in Dusseldorf. NFL branding is on banners across the city, where the championships will be played on a New England Patriots-branded field next to a high school.
