Move lays the groundwork for a Saints game in France as soon as 2026
This is worth watching. on Wednesday, the New Orleans Saints announced that they have agreed to a "strategic international partnership to grow American football in Europe" with the Paris Musketeers, the latest union between the NFL and the European League of Football (ELF).
Saints president Dennis Lauscha spoke about the move in a statement from the team: "We are proud to announce our partnership with the Paris Musketeers, a collaboration that reflects our ongoing commitment to growing the game of football globally. This strategic alliance provides a valuable opportunity to expand the reach of the Saints brand, engage with the French audience, and share the rich tradition and passion of our organization with fans around the world."
Founded in 2022, the Musketeers went 6-6 in their inaugural season before improving to 10-2 last year, coached by Marc Mattioli; he was hired as the defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State in the fall and replaced by longtime NFL coach Jack Del Rio, whose playing career started with the Saints back in 1985. After he hung up his cleats and took up coaching, Del Rio was hired by then-Saints head coach Mike Ditka in 1997. The Musketeers' regular season kicks off on May 17 from Stade Robert Bobin in Bondoufle, just south of Paris.
Musketeers CEO John McKeon also shared a statement on the occasion: "Joining forces with the New Orleans Saints is a significant milestone for our organization. We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will not only enhance the fan experience but also contribute to the development of American football in France and beyond. One of our first joint initiatives will be the launch of a halftime flag football series with local youth groups at our home games this season."
The Saints have been awarded exclusive marketing rights in France, and signs point to them playing a regular season game in the country as soon as 2026; partnering up with a team based out of the nation's capital would go a long way to start developing a following abroad. There are many historic and cultural ties between France and Louisiana so this does stand out as one of the more obvious partnerships the NFL has launched overseas. Stay tuned for details on which events and promotions the Saints and Musketeers are planning.
