The NFL is jealous of the global ratings The UEFA Champions League Final gets, and wants to try to compete with it.
That’s really what it’s all about. Damn the locals.
Ask any long-time fan of a popular Euro soccer team, like Barcelona or Liverpool. They will tell you that they care more for the “tourist fans” than the local fans, because the tourists are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a game ticket.
Futbol soccer.....very few exciting moments....I look at each “play” as a metaphor for pregnancy or courtship...starts out promising, obstacles along the way, not sure if it will be successful, must persevere, even suffer, but continue, as it gets closer to the goal, then, frenetic activity around the goal, then the blossoming relationship, or delivery(goal!)....then all the screaming, congrats, and cheers...goooooooooaaasassllllllll!
Each successful “play” takes about 9 months it seems like.
IMHO
I believe that you have nailed the primary underlying issue.
The NFL and many other historically American sports leagues are no long interested in us, as in USA.
The want a vast international market. And they are obviously shifting focus towards that goal.
I don’t know about global ratings, but for US ratings yesterday’s show set a record. Which, of course, is all that advertisers care about.
Turning Point did well for a brand-new start-up whose roster was finalized only days before the game.