UCFB graduate working at Jacksonville Jaguars talks globalisation of American sports

A UCFB graduate, now working in the NFL, has been talking to us about the recent growth of the brand, and of American Football in general, across the UK and Europe.

Mackenzie Cadman works as UK operations manager at NFL side, the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously studied BA (Hons) International Football Business at UCFB Wembley, graduating in 2018.

He has been at the Jags since August 2022, having previously worked at the NFL as a team liaison and logistics co-ordinator, and having also worked for the FA at the 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championships.

With vast experience and knowledge in American Football at such an early stage of his career, Mackenzie spoke to us about how much the sport has grown in the UK in recent years.

“The globalisation of American sports in general is just incredible,” he said. “Obviously, the NFL and the Jaguars are here in the UK, and the NFL has now gone over to Germany.

“The MLB have come over here, the NBA have also previously come over here. I think the attraction is for sport fans in general. You don’t have to be a fan of the sport to attend the games.

“We’ve got fans who are Jaguars fans simply because we’ve played some games in the UK so many times.

“It’s very much the globalization, the merchandise, the food and beverage. The event that gets pulled together is very different to what you’d see at a Premier League game or a cricket match, or a UK rugby game.”

When asked about his time at UCFB, Mackenzie said: “It was a great time. I think what I’ve taken out of that course is just to grasp every opportunity that you create yourself or you get from UCFB.

“The inspirational leaders who taught me were brilliant and led me to where I am today.”