Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, a prominent sports radio host in the US, has drawn criticism for his remarks about the NFL opener being held at the MCG between the San Francisco 49ers and the LA Rams. In response to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s concerns regarding the lengthy travel time, Russo claimed that Australians have little interest in American football.
Shanahan voiced his discontent with the decision to schedule the game internationally, stating the travel does not provide tangible benefits, especially given that teams typically seek rest in week one. The NFL match is set to occur at 10:35 AM local time in Australia but translates to 8:35 PM the previous day in the US, raising concerns about player fatigue.
Despite Russo’s dismissal of Australian interest in the NFL, the league’s popularity has surged in Australia, evidenced by over 150,000 requests for tickets to the game and approximately 1.7 million fans following the league. Nonetheless, Russo recounted his experiences in Sydney from 1980, suggesting that the cultural landscape and sports preferences of Australians have not evolved.
He painted a picture of his life in Australia, recalling how he struggled to find American football scores in local newspapers, reinforcing his notion that the game holds little appeal Down Under. His arguments, however, were met with reminders from his colleagues that much has changed in the past four decades regarding the NFL’s presence and following in Australia.
Ultimately, Russo remains firm in his belief that Australians lack genuine interest in American football, attributing this to his personal experience and findings from his time living in Sydney. His assertions highlight a notable disconnection with the growing enthusiasm surrounding the NFL in Australia.