Jerry Jones reveals stance on Cowboys playing international game in Brazil

Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones joined his cohorts for a vote on Wednesday to determine whether the NFL should expand international play to countries other than Mexico, Germany and the U.K. With the majority of team owners in agreement, the league announced that they will host a game in São Paulo, Brazil next season, bringing football to yet another country with a growing fan base.

Though Jones was in favor of adding Brazil to the list of international venues, the 81-year-old businessman told reporters after the meeting that it wouldn’t be his first choice for the Cowboys.

“If we do give up (a home game), I want it to be (to play in) Mexico,” Jones said on Wednesday, via Jon Machota. “That’s our natural synergy and affinity with our fan base. … I’ve got a lot of business in Brazil. I’m one of the largest automobile dealers there are in Brazil. But I’m not as interested in the Cowboys playing there as opposed to Mexico City.”

Though the NFL’s expansion into international markets began more than two decades ago, the Cowboys have played in just one regular season game overseas. They took on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2014. Only one other team – the Steelers – has gone this long without playing outside the U.S.

Brazil claims an NFL fan base of roughly 38 million with 8.3 million considered “avid fans,” according to the league. The game in São Paulo will be one of five regular season games to be played internationally in 2024. There will also be three games in London in 2024 and one more in Germany. Besides the Jacksonville Jaguars, the teams set to participate in international games in 2024 have yet to be announced. The league expects to make that announcement in early 2024.

Though there will only be five international games in 2024, there could be as many as eight games played outside of the U.S. in 2025.

NFL International expands to South America

NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly revealed to ESPN insider Adam Schefter in September that Brazil and Spain could be the league’s next international markets.

“That’s the diligence that we do constantly,” O’Reilly told Schefter possible games in Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. “What is the stadium like here? Could we play a game here? What does the support look like?

“So we’re not there yet in terms of timing on that. But you’re right, we are spending time in those markets, building relationships and looking at the stadia there.”

“Brazil and Spain are two strong markets and two important markets,” O’Reilly added. “And importantly, there are also markets that clubs are interested in. … Marrying where clubs are now building their fan base is important. It needs to work for the clubs as well.”

The NFL has also tested the waters of a potential expansion into Australia where the sport is already popular.

The league also announced the planned venue for the 2024 game in Brazil. The historic first game in South America will take place in the city of São Paulo at the Corinthians Arena, home to the Brazilian soccer team Sport Club Corinthians. The stadium was a venue for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Its seating capacity is 49,205.