Gas up the jet! Gayle Benson and Demario Davis are taking a trip to France to help build the New Orleans Saints brand in France. The trip will last from July 10 to July 14.
Nola.com's Luke Johnson broke the news Monday afternoon. Davis will be fully invested in the team's efforts to connect with the community. The linebacker will participate in a meet and greet, a flag football clinic and take a trip to the U.S. Embassy.
Benson will make the flight later than Davis. She will be present for the Paris Musketeers game, who are coached by former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio. Last year, the Saints established a strategic partnership with the Musketeers.
The New Orleans Saints have exclusive international marketing rights in France
The NFL has been gradually increasing their global footprint over the last few years. The league has been active in London for nearly 20 years. The league played their first game in Brazil last year. There have also been games played in Mexico and Germany. It wouldn't be surprising to hear a game in France be announced in the near future. The Saints would be a prime candidate to be a part of that game.
As the NFL continues to make strides to expand, one initiative they're pushing Global Markets Program. This program gives teams the right to build their brand "through fan engagement, events, commercial opportunities and NFL Flag development." There are 21 international markets and each team is placed in at least one market. Some teams are in multiple markets.
The only international market the Saints have the rights to conduct any of those events in is France. More importantly, the Saints are the only team with those rights in France. Only six teams have the claim of exclusive international marketing rights in any country.
There probably isn't a team with a more natural connection to a country outside of North America than the Saints connection to France. The connection runs through the culture of the city and can be seen in the Saints logo. The team having exclusive international rights in France makes sense. It also sets up for moments like this.