Local sports betting increases NFL fanbase

The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers clash in Super Bowl XLV this Sunday marking the culmination of another exciting season in the National Football League (NFL). It also marks the end of this current season of 'Red Stripe Bold Touchdown Mondays' at the Acropolis Barbican where for the last few months there were significant signs that interest in the NFL is growing at a rapid pace.

Today, fans of the NFL will be experiencing a crescendo of celebration of the 2010 NFL season during Acropolis' 'Super Sunday'. Describing the day's activities as a 'big lyme', Ann Taylor, operations manager at the Acropolis Barbican, revealed that leading up to the Super Bowl the Acropolis would also be showing a Premier League football match, then a basketball game from the NBA before the Super Bowl broadcast begins at 5 p.m.

There will also be outside broadcasts by FAME FM and KLAS radio throughout the day. In between there will be music, food specials, games and lots of surprises, she promised.

It is a grand way in which to celebrate the emergence of a sport that has managed to draw the interest of Jamaicans outside the usually popular sports of football, cricket, horse racing and track and field. The fact that several Jamaican-born players also play in the NFL doesn't hurt either.

"Interest in the NFL has increased significantly," Taylor said.

loyal crowd

She explained that the Acropolis started out showing Monday night football games, a feature that steadily drew a loyal crowd each Monday night. Eventually, she said, Red Stripe through its product Red Stripe Bold came on board to add even more vibe to the occasion.

There were two-for-one specials, bucket deals and platter specials. Patrons would get free Red Stripe Bold whenever they ordered a platter.

The increase in interest in the NFL however, can be linked to rapidly growing interest in sports betting, Taylor surmised. The Acropolis offers sports betting on several international sports including the NFL. Using her own experience as an example, Taylor says that in order to improve one's chances of winning bets placed on NFL teams one has to know about the teams, what players are injured and what impact those injuries will have on the teams they play for and those that they are playing against. "Eventually, people get caught up in the betting," she said.

Safia Cooper, brand manager for Red Stripe, said that 'Touchdown Mondays' has been a success for the brand and consumers have taken full advantage of the specials.

"Come this Superbowl Sunday, consumers can look forward to even more treats from Red Stripe Bold," Cooper said.

So whether you are a Packer or a Steeler, the Acropolis Barbican will be the place to celebrate not only the occasion of the Super Bowl but also Jamaica's burgeoning love for this American pastime.