BRAVOS, DOLPHINS UNITE ON SPANISH FRONT
Spain’s only professional football team, the Madrid Bravos, have signed a long-term strategic alliance with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins in an effort to promote both American and flag football in the country.
The Dolphins are one of three NFL teams with commercial rights to Spain through the league’s Global Markets Programme, along with the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs, and the new partnership will support the franchise’s international initiatives, as well as contributing to the sustainable development of the sport at both the youth and professional levels.
The project encompasses various lines of action, from the implementation of a grassroots flag football programme in schools and clubs ahead of the sport’s inclusion at the 208 Los Angeles Olympic Games to the organisation of social and family events such as the Mama Bowl and Olympic Day, as well as the logistical management and brand activations of the Dolphins in Spanish territory.
“We are proud of this partnership with the Madrid Bravos,” Felipe Formiga, vice-president of international development for the Dolphins commented. “The Bravos have done an incredible job promoting American football in Spain and, since acquiring the marketing rights in Spain in 2022, our goal has been to connect with Spanish fans, something we saw with the great response to our Junior Dolphins clinics this past summer. This partnership strengthens our presence in the country and our commitment to Spain, its fans, and the growth of the sport.”
The Dolphins, of course, featured as the ‘home’ team in Madrid’s debut on the NFL International Series stage, beating the Washington Commanders in overtime at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu last month, and share a common thread with the Bravos through former quarterback Reid Sinnett, who moved to Europe to play for the Madrid side in this season’s European League of Football.
The collaboration — entitled From Miami to Madrid: Building the Future of Football — will not only aim to increase in the number of youngsters who practice the sport, but also provide appropriate training for teachers and coaches in order that they can lead programmes across the country. Community events will encourage female, family and inclusion participation through the sport while, at a higher level, collaboration between players and staff of both teams will lead to activations and the creation of joint content for social networks and media. The Bravos will also provide annual support in the organisation, storage, distribution and brand activations for the Dolphins.
The alliance has been welcomed by Bravos GM Jaime Martín, who sees it as helping to reinforce Madrid’s role as the epicenter of American football’s growth in Europe, as well as consolidating the Bravos as the national benchmark in the development of the sport alongside one of the most emblematic franchises of the NFL.
“This alliance represents a decisive step for the growth of American football in Spain and reaffirms the Madrid Bravos’ position as an entry point for NFL teams into an emerging market like Spain,” Martín said, “Working alongside the Miami Dolphins means joining one of the most historic and successful franchises in the entire NFL. We are confident that this alliance will help us grow in many areas, combining local expertise and a global vision to develop new generations, strengthen the community and bring the sport closer to fans.”