The Detroit Lions, along with the rest of the league, have been continuously adding marketing rights for different countries every year. Last year, the Lions added Canada, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
At the 2025 NFL League Meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, we saw that the Lions will be adding Brazil to their list of teams for which they will have marketing rights in 2025.
The reason this is such a big deal is that it opens up the possibility that the Lions could be a team that plays in Brazil at some point. Last year, the Eagles and Packers played there, and this coming season the Chargers will play there.
While having marketing rights is not the full-fledged key to getting a game in another country, but it’ll help in the NFL’s plan to grow the game globally via their Global Markets program.
Germany still makes a ton of sense for the Lions for multiple reasons. They have been spending a lot of time there with their social media team and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown being fluent in German and that being a big deal to help market the game.
It was a surprise that the Lions didn’t wind up in Germany for the 2025 season. Maybe that’s something they’ll do in the future, and it would make sense that they would do it ahead of a trip to Brazil. We’ll see what happens, but for now, the Lions are adding Brazil to their marketing rights group.
The Detroit Lions, like many other NFL teams, have been increasingly expanding their global footprint in recent years by adding marketing rights for various countries. This strategic move is part of the league’s broader effort to grow the NFL brand beyond the United States, tapping into international markets and creating a global fanbase. By securing marketing rights in different countries, the Lions, as well as other teams, can cultivate stronger connections with international fans, increase merchandise sales, and potentially expand their audience for future games and media content.
The NFL’s international growth initiatives have been ongoing, with games hosted in countries like the United Kingdom, Mexico, and even Germany. The Lions, along with the league, benefit from these efforts by being able to target fans in new regions. Marketing rights allow teams to promote their brand, host fan events, and engage with audiences directly in foreign markets. This creates an opportunity for teams like the Lions to build a stronger international presence.
For the Lions, securing marketing rights in new countries not only increases their global visibility but also aligns with the league’s long-term strategy of fostering a wider fan base. The NFL has emphasized its commitment to global expansion, aiming to elevate the sport of American football to a global stage. Countries such as the UK, Germany, and Mexico are viewed as key markets for NFL growth, and teams are eager to capitalize on the opportunities these regions present.
As the NFL continues to expand its international reach, the Lions’ efforts in securing marketing rights are helping them stay competitive in an increasingly globalized sports landscape, providing new avenues for fan engagement, sponsorships, and revenue generation.