Commentators poke fun and educate to help audience in soccer-crazy Brazil embrace American football

Radio sports commentator Marcelo do Ó smiles while working in press box during a Brazilian soccer league match at the NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Local commentators and experts in Brazil will host its first ever NFL match on Sept. 6, 2024.

Radio sports commentator Marcelo do Ó smiles while working in press box during a Brazilian soccer league match at the NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Local commentators and experts in Brazil will host its first ever NFL match on Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)


2 photos
Save Story

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SAO PAULO — Local commentators and experts in Brazil reject jargon and tactical minutiae while trying to reach millions of potential American football fans. They seek to draw attention to NFL games by using funny metaphors, catchy stories about players and loud celebrations on air. Critics say that approach is condescending, but growing TV ratings, new podcasts by Brazilian experts and feedback from supporters suggest poking fun and educating at the same time was key in the growth of NFL fandom in the South American nation.

Photos

Most recent NFL stories

Related topics

Mauricio Savarese
    KSL.com Beyond Series

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button