Expanding the NFL into new territories presents its challenges, and the current controversy surrounding the Packers vs. Eagles game underscores this.
Nevertheless, Wisconsin lawmaker John Macco has urged the Packers and the NFL to cancel the event. On September 1, Macco took to Facebook, stating, “The Green Bay Packers and the National Football League should cancel the game in Brazil scheduled for this coming week.” Macco cited concerns over Brazil’s political instability, violence, censorship, and legal actions against U.S. companies, which he believes contradict the NFL and Packers’ values.
The political situation in Brazil gained attention on September 2 when its Supreme Court upheld a ban on the Elon Musk-owned social media platform X. The ban, imposed by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, was due to X’s failure to meet a deadline for appointing a new legal representative in Brazil and its role in spreading misinformation and hate speech.
Brazil, which has a significant digital population with X having 22 million users, saw a surge in users for its rival platform Bluesky following the ban. Musk responded to the ban with strong criticism, comparing Moraes to “Voldemort” and making derogatory remarks on social media.
The country is also grappling with high crime rates and environmental issues, including wildfires in the Amazon affecting São Paulo. These factors have added to the safety concerns expressed by players like Eagles’ Darius Slay, who has voiced his reluctance about traveling to Brazil and advised his family against attending the game.
Despite these concerns, it seems unlikely that the game will be moved. With only two days remaining until the event, and given the NFL’s interest in establishing a presence in Brazil, the game is expected to proceed.
