Roger Goodell ain’t here to play nice—he’s here to make football global. With the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in São Paulo, Brazil, the commissioner hit the Pat McAfee Show to defend the league’s ambitious plans. And let’s just say, Goodell’s got data on his side.

“We looked at the data; the fanbase is incredible down there,” Roger Goodell explained. “This is sort of the spark that creates the fire. The regular season game point’s to bring this directly to the fans, and we’re seeing that reaction.” And he’s not wrong—tickets for the Eagles-Packers showdown in São Paulo are nearly impossible to find. The commissioner alluded, “We’re a couple of days out now. The tickets are really at a premium; it’s hard to find. There’s a lot of excitement in town!” But while the buzz in Brazil’s undeniable, not everyone’s thrilled about the NFL’s global expansion, especially with the shadow of political controversy looming large.

The NFL’s decision to bring this high-stakes matchup to Brazil is all about growth (and a bit of showmanship). Goodell echoed Tom Brady’s words, saying, “The first year, Tom Brady met me after the game and said, ‘This was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in football. And that’s what we’re doing, we’re sharing the NFL experience with the world.” But why Brazil? For starters, it’s a market that’s been heating up, and playing in São Paulo (a city that knows how to host a spectacle) is the league’s latest move to plant its flag on new turf. Brazil’s been craving football for years, and now they’re finally getting a taste of the real stuff.

But this ain’t just a feel-good story about expanding the sport’s reach. The NFL is facing a serious backlash over Brazil’s recent ban on Elon Musk’s X/Twitter platform—a move many see as a blow to free speech. Critics are calling on the league to pull the plug on the Brazil game, arguing that playing there would send the wrong message. Despite the rising calls for cancellation, the logistics (and the money) make it unlikely.

Remember when MLB yanked the All-Star Game from Atlanta over voting laws? That was a rare move, and the NFL doesn’t seem poised to follow suit. As the debate heats up, Roger Goodell’s position’s clear: the NFL’s global push isn’t just about football—it’s about reaching fans who’ve been craving it. The Eagles vs. Packers matchup is slated to go on as planned, with São Paulo ramping up security to handle the influx of fans and potential unrest.

São Paulo beefing up security for the NFL’s Eagles-Packers clash

The NFL’s first-ever game in South America’s got Philadelphia and Green Bay facing more than just each other—it’s got them facing serious security concerns too.

With the game set for Friday at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Eagles players have voiced worries about traveling to Latin America’s largest country. WR A.J. Brown kept it blunt: “We had a meeting with a whole bunch of ‘don’t do’s.’ So, I’m just trying to go down there, win a football game, and come back home.” Darius Slay Jr., on his Big Play Slay podcast, didn’t hold back either. “Man, I do not want to go to Brazil… They told us not to leave the hotel… The crime rate is crazy.” After facing backlash, Slay later apologized on X, but the concern’s still real.

São Paulo’s state government isn’t taking any chances, though. They’ve ramped up security big time, deploying specialized civil and military police battalions. From Guarulhos Airport to the stadium, these teams will have police escorts all the way. And that’s not all—officers will be stationed on streets, trains, and even at tourist hotspots. As both teams head to Brazil, the stakes are high, and it’s not just about the game. This match isn’t just a historic NFL moment—it’s a test of nerves on and off-field.