Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on the NFL expanding games over to Melbourne

Melbourne is closing in on securing a NFL regular season game in 2026.

The Herald Sun reports that Melbourne has beaten Sydney to the race to win hosting rights for the first competitive NFL game to be played down under.

The two cities had been jostling in recent months, but it's understood the first game will be set down for the Melbourne Cricket Ground in October next year - and will be a multi-year agreement.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains what this could mean for the future of the sport.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Lots of feedback on this Getting your first job, Angela
says she's an employer. Many school leavers eliminate themselves. This
is interesting because they can't say that they are a
non smoker or non vapor which is a requirement for
employment in my food and medical products business. Another one
here from Rachel. Honestly, first, teenagers need to get a

(00:20):
job they don't necessarily want, like washing dishes at your
local cafe. Or my son, for example, started his own
pet and plant minding service. Insane that people need a
plant minding service these days. I suppose you don't want
them to die, do you? Eighteen minutes after four News
Talk zeb Ray and Bridge, Jason Pines with US sports
talk host seven o'clock tonight on News Talks VB. Hey, Jason, did.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
I ride night Phil at Wolworth's for me?

Speaker 1 (00:45):
Ah? What did that pay?

Speaker 2 (00:48):
People?

Speaker 1 (00:49):
Is it not a lot?

Speaker 2 (00:50):
Not a lot? Back at eighty six mot I can tell.

Speaker 1 (00:52):
You to Bob and tenpence or something.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
I've got that long ago.

Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah, how did you get it? Was it through a friend?
Because I've got mine? You know, I basically took all
my brother's jobs. My older brother once he would leave one.
I would take that one. That's kind of how it
worked for me. Neftis basically yep.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Well, friend at school said hey, I do this, come
and do this, and yeah, a couple of nights a
week went down there in stock shelves.

Speaker 1 (01:14):
It's the good hard work, right. The NFL is bringing
regular season games to Melbourne from next year.

Speaker 2 (01:20):
That's right. Yeah. They've been looking to expand their international
presence in recent years. They've been to the likes of London, Brazil, Germany.
Next season I think they're going to Real Madrid's stadium
in Spain and back end of twenty twenty six looks
like they're coming to Melbourne. This will be the La
Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. They've got Australian marketing rights,
so yeah, expanding their footprint I think is the trendy

(01:42):
way of saying it. But also they probably think, you
know what, there are some pretty handy Australian rules youngsters
down in Australia who can kick the ball and run
and are pretty powerful, so maybe they're looking to attract
some young players, some rising stars to the game as well.

Speaker 1 (01:57):
And Ardis Savia will be one of Pacific captain for
twenty twenty five. Do you think he can lift them
into the playoff contention the place they hope to get to.

Speaker 2 (02:05):
Well, if anybody can, he can. He's very much a
follow me type of leader, and he's dragged teams across
the line on more than one occasion when he's been
playing for the Hurricanes and the All Blacks. Look, I'm
not sure he can do this by himself. Last year
out of PACIFICA won four games. The previous season just
the one in their first season they won two. So
that's seven wins across three seasons. That's not playoff form.

(02:26):
But as I say, if Artie Savier can, you can
be the influence inside that team that he has been
inside the other teams he's been a part of and
leads them out. Look, if I'm following Artie Savi here
house and I'm by no means a super rugby player,
I don't want to disappoint the man. So look, I
do whatever I can to try and do what he says.

Speaker 1 (02:44):
Absolutely, Jason Dank, you look forward to seeing you tonight.
Jason Pines sport Talks host News Talk ZB.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
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