‘Made Me Jealous’: NFL Reporter Praises Melbourne’s Sporting Precinct After Historic Clash

When the NFL came to Melbourne for the first time, it was the Americans who found themselves taking notes.

David Lombardi, a San Francisco Standard reporter who has covered the 49ers and the NFL for years, said the city’s sporting precinct and the way it hosted the historic clash left him “jealous.”

On Sept. 11, the Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted the first week clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers—one part of the NFL’s global push.

The match was attended by around 100,000 fans with the city celebrating the event for days.

Lombardi is a 49ers reporter for The San Francisco Standard, who averaged over 100,000 views per video over his week in Australia. Before joining The Standard, he worked at ESPN and The Athletic.

He was stunned at how well the city of Melbourne hosted its maiden NFL clash.

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“I thought the concept was ambitious, but I think the execution was close to flawless,” Lombardi told The Epoch Times.

“I don’t think the Rams executed flawlessly. But from an NFL standpoint, I thought the set-up of the stadium was so spectacular.”

Truly the ‘Sporting Capital of the World’

San Francisco is known for its beautiful weather and storied sports teams, including the 49ers, Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants.

But Lombardi believes Melbourne deserves its unofficial “sporting capital of the world” nickname.

With its Sports and Entertainment Precinct next to the CBD—and home to around 10 major venues—is the home of the Australian Open tennis, cricket, rugby league, and Australian Football League matches.

Melbourne also hosts the Australian F1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup—the “race that stops a nation.”

Lombardi says he could have called an Uber or taxi to get to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but deliberately walked to experience the precinct.

“I see why they call this place the ‘world capital of sports’ because the set-up is truly astonishing. And it made me jealous, to be honest. I don’t like stadiums in the middle of a parking lot [like many venues in America].

“I think that really helped sell Australia, and I think it’s going to help the NFL come back.”

Lombardi said the 49ers franchise was delighted with the success.

“I’ve talked to fans, players and the coaches—and on the 49ers side because that was the locker-room I was in—everybody was very thrilled.”

49ers Fan Says He Wants to Come Back

Transport Public Bar at Federation Square served as the official “Home of the Faithful” temporary 49ers takeover bar in Melbourne for the NFL game week.

Pittsburgh resident Chuck Franciscus celebrated his team’s victory there alongside his mate, Eric Dailey.

“NFL in Australia is awesome. You guys are passionate sports fans. And to embrace the American culture is amazing. It’s just great to be here,” he told The Epoch Times.

“I want to come back and spend more time here. The people are the best and Melbourne is a sports town.”

Fellow 49ers fan from California, Jeff Garrett, said “I thought the event was outstanding”.

“The hospitality has been the best. It would be wonderful if it could continue to grow,” he added.

And San Francisco resident Kevin Yarbrough praised his team for embracing a home NFL game Down Under.

“The NFL has done a really good job promoting their product, and I think the San Francisco 49ers did an even better job of stepping into what the NFL wanted,” he said.

“The welcoming that Melbourne and Australia gave the 49ers was something that will be remembered for many, many years.”

Praise from Across the Aisle

The Victorian state Labor government gained two unlikely allies with One Nation South Australia Leader Cory Bernardi and Victorian Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy praising the event.

But Bernardi said the NFL’s first foray Down Under set the benchmark for sporting event management and promotion.

“I thought it was a spectacular success. Victoria has been a busted state for the past eight years,” he told The Epoch Times.

“I’ve come here and seen people live in depressed times. I’m also mindful though that governments can’t keep buying events because when the money runs out the sugar-hit fades.

“And that’s what we’re facing in South Australia. But this was, I thought, the best-organised event I’ve ever been to.”

Bernardi added that the three-day NFL Kickoff Festival helped lift morale in the city, as the Carroll Labor government faces increasing voter pressure ahead of the Nov. 28 state election.

“Whether you like NFL or not and I’m a fan, it was actually a spectacle. It gave Melbourne life from seven o’clock in the morning, with people fired up and having a good time,” he said.

“I really enjoyed it, and it’s given me a good perspective about the benefits of doing some of these things.”

McCurdy also attended the game,

“It was a big success—it doesn’t matter who you barrack for, or even whether you enjoy NFL, and I do,” McCurdy said.

“Plenty don’t, but they enjoyed the day because it was a ripping day. I think it’s a great way to showcase Melbourne to the world.”

Premier Says Victoria Is ‘the Real Winner’

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said his government’s commitment of about $15 million per game in a multi-year contract with the NFL was worth the hefty investment.

The game was streamed on Netflix in close to 200 countries, tapping a potential global audience of over 300 million.

And the Victorian government estimated that more that $300 million flowed through local businesses in one of the busiest weekends of the year for hospitality.

“The world is watching Melbourne as we showcase our city, our culture and all that makes Victoria one of the world’s best destinations,” Carroll said.

“Victoria is the real winner today—thousands of visitors are spending money in our hotels, restaurants and venues right across the state.”