How the 49ers became Australia’s favorite NFL team

When the NFL announced its Global Markets Program in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams were awarded international marketing rights to Australia, where the franchise could build brand awareness and fandom. Four years later, the Rams served as the “home” team for their season opener, but the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was overwhelmingly supportive of the 49ers. After arriving in Australia last week, the 49ers worked to connect with the local community, hosting events featuring franchise legends and team personnel. The Rams, on the other hand, flew in 28 hours before kickoff to avoid jet lag, limiting their time to drum up support among fans still deciding which team to cheer for. On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s David Lombardi joins host Kerry Crowley after spending a week in Melbourne interacting with Australians, learning about their desire to embrace the NFL, and watching the stadium transform into a pro-49ers crowd.

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