English
NBC Sports anchor Mike Tirico brought together a high-profile panel on September 29, 2026, to explore how the NFL has grown into a truly global community. The discussion featured former Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees, Diana Flores — quarterback of Mexico’s national flag football team — and Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s chief media officer. Together, they examined how American football continues to attract fans and players from around the world.
A Panel Built Around Global Football Growth
The conversation took place as part of the Common Ground series, a program focused on finding shared solutions across communities. Comcast sponsored the segment, which ran for approximately 26 minutes. Tirico guided the discussion with a focus on the sport’s expanding international reach and what that means for fans everywhere.
Stay connected to every major update — subscribe and follow us on the PhoenixQ website and across our social media platforms.
Drew Brees brought the perspective of a celebrated player who experienced the NFL at its highest level. His Super Bowl MVP status gave weight to his views on how the league has changed. Meanwhile, Diana Flores offered a different but equally compelling angle, representing the growing influence of flag football beyond the United States.
Flag Football and International Representation
Flores stands out as a symbol of the NFL’s push into new markets. As the quarterback of Mexico’s national flag football team, she has become one of the most recognized faces of the sport’s international growth. Her inclusion on the panel highlighted the league’s effort to connect with fans in Latin America and beyond.
Hans Schroeder, as the NFL’s chief media officer, addressed how the league communicates with its growing global audience. His role places him at the center of the NFL’s strategy to expand its presence through media and broadcasting partnerships. Therefore, his insights gave the panel a strong institutional perspective on where the sport is heading.
Common Ground as a Platform for Unity
The Common Ground series regularly features conversations that cross cultural and social divides. In this case, the NFL’s ever-expanding community served as the central theme. The panel reflected a broader effort to show how sport can unite people from different backgrounds and nations.
The segment aired on NBC News NOW alongside other Common Ground episodes covering topics such as music, community building and civic engagement. Together, these discussions form part of a wider conversation about how shared interests — including sport — can bring people closer together across borders and differences.
