Los Angeles Chargers are proudly announcing that the NFL He entrusted the International Marketing Rights for Greece, marking the first organized and strategic introduction of the sport into the Greek market.
As part of the World NFL market program, this milestone is a bold step in the global development of the sport – bringing the excitement and tradition of American football to a nation known as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and Sports Heritage.
To honor this important moment, the Chargers organized an exclusive press conference on Friday, April 25, at the flagship Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Athens. The event was attended by prominent members of the Greek media as well as senior Chargers executives, including Mr Fred Maas, Chief of Staff and Los Angeles Chargers. During his stay in Athens, Mr Maas also met with top government officials, ministers and deputy ministers, as well as sports facilities, to discuss the dynamic development of American football in Greece and its overall impact on local communities.
This initiative is of particular importance to the Organization, as Greece is also the homeland of the family of Dean Spanos, owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Chargers Board of Directors. Its roots give a personal dimension to this endeavor, making expansion in Greece not only strategy but also deeply symbolic.
On the occasion of his visit to Greece, Mr. Fred Maas said:
“It is our honor to be in Greece. It is a very special moment and an important place for us. Ever since I met our owner, Dean Spanos, it has always been his dream of bringing NFL and Chargers to Greece. This year, through the expansion of the NFL World Market Program, this dream came true. It is a unique opportunity for the Spanou family to come to Greece and broadcast her favorite sport to her country. “
A new chapter on American football in Greece
Greece, with its long tradition as a birthplace of the Olympic Games and its live sports community, offers a unique opportunity for NFL and Chargers to enhance a meaningful cultural and athletic exchange. Through local development programs, youth participation and activities for fans, Chargers aim to convey the values of American football – teamwork, discipline, durability and strategic thinking – to the Greek public.
Interesting is the fact that the roots of American football reach antiquity. In ancient Greece, athletes were playing a game called a bishop, which included a match lines and the ball handling strategies, elements reminiscent of the foundations of modern sport. This cultural bridge uniquely connects the past with the present.
This initiative proves the commitment to long -term growth throughout Europe, placing Greece as a dynamic new point of entry into the global expansion of NFL. Chargers are planning to work with local agencies and sports communities to increase information, provide educational experiences and cultivating a passionate basis of fans.
The introduction of American football in Greece is much more than a game – it is a symbol of expanding the potential, common values and the global language of sport. With the support of the local community and the vision of Los Angeles Chargers, this venture marks the beginning of an exciting new journey.
The Secretary General of Sports, Mr. George Mavrotas, said:
“It is a great pleasure and honor to welcome the Greek government to the mission of Los Angeles Chargers to Greece, the home of the family of the owner and chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Dean Spanos. Los Angeles is also a separate place for me, as it was the starting point of my athletic career: I participated in the first of my five Olympic Games in 1984, at the age of 17, with the national water polo team. Greece is the birthplace of value -based sport. It has hosted both the ancient Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia and the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Sport creates bridges and reinforces the links between peoples, such as those in the US and Greece. We believe that the Chargers initiative will contribute not only to the spread of American football but also to the exchange of knowledge and experience, promoting all aspects of athletic integrity. Today, sport is also an economic activity, but it must always maintain its values and act as a social tool. Finally, this program will further enhance the friendship and cooperation between our two countries, with an important role in the Greek -American community. So we welcome Los Angeles Chargers and the NFL in Greece, the country where sports was born! “
Live Draft from Athens, Greece
For the first time in history, the NFL draft was broadcast live from the heart of Greece, marking a historic moment when the birthplace of the Republic welcomed the future of American football. With the backdrop of the magnificent view of Athens and more than 5 million spectators worldwide, fans watched the live announcement of the fifth round of Chargers (158th) from the balcony of the Great Britain Hotel, by Maria Olson, a US Embassy. It was much more than a simple announcement – it was a celebration of sports, world connection and the bold commitment of the Chargers to develop the sport in new areas. Greece became part of the history of NFL and the energy of that time was unforgettable.