NFL

Brett Gosper Joins NFL As Head Of Europe And UK

December 2, 2020

Brett Gosper who has served as Chief Executive of World Rugby since 2012, is to join the National Football League as Head of Europe and UK.

Gosper’s role will see him drive the next stage of the league’s growth in Europe. Reporting to Christopher Halpin, NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, he will have overarching responsibility for the successful execution of NFL business strategy across the UK and Europe, including fan growth, live games and commercial success.

As CEO of World Rugby, Gosper, a former Australia Under-21 international who spent a decade playing club rugby in France, oversaw record-breaking Rugby World Cups in England in 2015 and Japan in 2019.

Welcoming Gosper to the NFL, Halpin said: “We are tremendously excited to have Brett joining the NFL in such an important role. The UK has been a core market of investment and growth for the NFL over the last decade, and we believe broader Europe presents a number of similar attractive opportunities to expand the game and our fan base. Brett’s exceptional skills and experience make him the ideal leader to build on our momentum and grow the NFL.”

Under Gosper’s leadership, the 2015 Rugby World Cup saw 2.47 million tickets sold and commercial and ticketing revenues in excess of £650 million, generating more than £260 million in profit for reinvestment in the global game. Further records were set at Asia’s first Rugby World Cup in 2019, with commercial and ticketing revenues reaching £750 million, leading to a profit of £240 million, and digital engagement totaling 1.7 billion video views,

Gosper said: “I feel very privileged to have led a great organisation like World Rugby for the best part of a decade, but I am now ready for a new challenge. I am incredibly excited to be joining the very impressive and ambitious team at the NFL and helping the most valuable and watched sports league in the US win even more hearts in Europe and the UK.”

Previously Chief Executive of McCann Europe, Middle East and Africa and President of McCann USA, Gosper also oversaw progressive change in rugby in the areas of governance, inclusiveness and player welfare management.

Gosper, who lives in London, will begin his new role in 2021, with exact date to be confirmed.

NFL