'It's absolutely massive': AFL great Jimmy Bartel excited about NFL games coming to Melbourne
AFL great Jimmy Bartel has thrown his support behind Melbourne hosting NFL games.
A report in News Corp over the weekend revealed plans are underway for America's major football league to play regular season games in the Victorian capital from next year.
Philadelphia is tipped to play Los Angeles at the famed MCG in October 2026 to kick off what could become an annual event.
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"It's absolutely massive down here," Bartel told Nine's Today.
"It gives us down here in Melbourne (a chance) to show Melbourne in a positive light.
"It's been a bit doom and gloom with our big sporting events - the Comm Games being lost - but hopefully we can show America what we're about.
Aussie star Jordan Mailata of the Philadelphia Eagles. Getty
Melbourne typically views itself as the sporting capital of Australia.
It plays host to the country's biggest horse race - the Melbourne Cup - and the Australian Grand Prix each year, among other major events like the Boxing Day Test match and AFL grand final.
Victoria was to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games before a funding fallout led to the state government backing out of those plans, bruising their reputation on an international stage.
Bartel says bringing NFL games to the state can help repair that image.
American football is popular among Australian audiences, and the Eagles playing the Rams next year could feature some Aussie flavour on the field.
"We've got punters playing everywhere in the NFL, but we've also got an Aussie - big Jordan Mailata - playing for the Eagles who are tipped to come down and play the LA Rams," Bartel said.
Jimmy Bartel lit up the MCG in 2011. Joe Armao
"So we get two of the biggest teams down here, all eyes on Melbourne. Hopefully we can deliver.
"It should get the city absolutely jumping. We've got great restaurants, got a great night life.
"We love when the celebrities come to Melbourne. The papers, the news follow them.
"It can put Melbourne back on the map as a place to come visit."
The news is yet to be confirmed but more details are expected to come out ahead of next week's Super Bowl.
