Chris McPherson

Eagles Everywhere is a step closer to becoming a reality as the NFL announced on Tuesday that the team can begin launching marketing and fan engagement efforts in Australia, Ghana, and New Zealand as part of the league's International Home Marketing Areas program.

The Eagles are the first team to be granted access to Africa. The NFL will host a developmental camp and fan event in Ghana in June.

"The Philadelphia Eagles organization is privileged to have one of the most passionate and dedicated fan bases in all of sport," Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said. "We are continuously looking for opportunities to connect with new fans while expanding the reach of our brand domestically and abroad. With the NFL identifying Australia, New Zealand, and Ghana as emerging markets for our league, we see a tremendous opportunity for our team to continue to touch and create 'Eagles Everywhere.'

"We are extremely proud to be the first NFL team to launch marketing, fan engagement, and commercialization efforts in Africa as we establish a visible presence in Ghana," Lurie added. "Organic ties with the Australia and New Zealand markets have already been made possible by the presence of three natives of the region currently on the Eagles' roster. As an NFL team, we know we have a special platform to reach and connect with people around the world, and this program allows us to establish roots in these new markets."

The Eagles have three Australian natives - Jordan Mailata, Arryn Siposs, and Matt Leo - on the roster. Mailata and Leo are products of the International Pathway Program, which was founded in 2017 to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. Mailata never played organized football prior to the 2018 NFL Draft. The Eagles chose Mailata in the seventh round that year, and he has developed into the team's franchise left tackle, who signed a contract extension last year through 2025.

The International HMA initiative, which launched in January of this year, grants NFL clubs access to international territories to expand NFL fan growth globally. Nineteen teams are situated in 30 International Home Marketing Areas across 10 different countries.

"We've seen great momentum since teams began entering their markets earlier this year," said Peter O'Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business & League Events. "From launching social media accounts, to hosting in-market events, to announcing draft picks from locations around the world, clubs are creating moments to really engage and energize our international fan base."