Javier Tebas Critiques NFL’s Madrid Event and LaLiga’s Struggles

Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, has made a public statement regarding the NFL game held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium between the Commanders and Dolphins. This event marks a significant step in the NFL’s strategic plan to expand its brand in Europe, a goal that Tebas has long pursued for LaLiga. However, various obstacles have consistently hindered this ambition.

In his message, Tebas notably referenced Real Madrid, without naming the club directly, for allowing its stadium to host the American football game after previously leading the ‘integrity’ campaign against LaLiga’s official match in Miami.

He also expressed dissatisfaction with the stance taken by the European Commissioner for Sport and the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), stating, “They filled their mouths with ‘information’ and ‘transparency’ while being fully aware of how the game was organized.”

Tebas lamented that “misinformation and a lack of foresight” prevailed, asserting that the initiative was thwarted because it was championed by LaLiga, an organization that many wish to control.

He concluded his statement with a resolute, “We will continue to strive for this.”

The narrative that has emerged over recent weeks describes today as a “historic day for Spanish sports” due to the NFL’s presence in Madrid, with extensive media coverage and promotional events highlighting the occasion. It is ironic that the stadium belonged to the same club that once vigorously opposed the Miami match, now willingly hosting the NFL event for a fee.

Previously, club representatives had voiced concerns about competition integrity, sending letters to multiple institutions and even rallying for support against the Miami match. Meanwhile, the European sports commissioner emphasized tradition, and the AFE spoke of ‘information’ and ‘transparency’ while fully aware of the event’s compliance with regulations.

The Miami game promised to draw a full crowd and was poised to showcase LaLiga internationally. It represented just one match out of the 380 games in a LaLiga season.

It is clear that in this situation, misinformation and a lack of future vision prevailed. The real issues were not about integrity, tradition, or information; instead, the concern was about who was driving the initiative. LaLiga, an institution many aim to control, faces opposition from those who wish to limit its growth for personal gain, whether for financial reasons or political agendas.

“We will continue to strive for this,” Tebas affirmed.