By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. –As the NFL continues to deepen its international presence, the New Orleans Saints have done something unique. While the league has made major in-roads with numerous initiatives such as the International Player Pathway, Global Market Programs and the annual international series which brings NFL action overseas, the Saints have forged a partnership directly with a European League of Football (ELF) team, the Paris Musketeers.
The partnership was announced via press release by the Saints on Monday.
@Saints 🤝 @parismusketeers https://t.co/mtNHb5A0cm
— Paris Musketeers (@parismusketeers) May 5, 2025
“We are proud to announce our partnership with the Paris Musketeers, a collaboration that reflects our ongoing commitment to growing the game of football globally,” said Dennis Lauscha, President of the New Orleans Saints, via the release. “This strategic alliance provides a valuable opportunity to expand the reach of the Saints brand, engage with the French audience, and share the rich tradition and passion of our organization with fans around the world.”
In 2023, the Saints became the first NFL team to be granted marketing rights in France via the league’s Global Marketing Program. The program allows the team to be able to market in France the same way that it does in the United States. New Orleans is taking things a step further with its Musketeers partnership.
“This collaboration will encompass a series of joint initiatives, including co-branded events, fan engagement activities, and community programs in both New Orleans and Paris. The partnership seeks to create immersive experiences for fans, such as player meet-and-greets, youth football clinics, and cultural exchange events that celebrate the rich heritage of both teams.”
The announcement of this initiative also includes plans to create “shared training programs, coaching exchanges and the development of digital content tailored to engage fans in both markets.” Each sounds like substantial and exciting opportunities for players, coaches and fans alike.
Per John McKeon, CEO of the Paris Musketeers, “One of our first joint initiatives will be the launch of a halftime flag football series with local youth groups at our home games this season.”
The Paris Musketeers were established in 2022. Their inaugural 2023 season ended with a 6-6 record, but in 2024, the organization took a major step forward. The Musketeers made their first postseason appearance last year after finishing the regular season 10-2. While the team’s head coach Marc Mattioli departed after the 2024 season to become the defensive coordinator at Kennesaw State, the Musketeers made a splash with the hiring of Jack Del Rio, former NFL head coach and Saints linebacker coach, as their next leader.
Del Rio was also a third-round pick by the Saints in the 1985 NFL Draft as a linebacker out of USC.
He and the Musketeers will begin their 2025 ELF season on May 17 as they square off with the Rhein Fire, the reigning ELF champions. The matchup will pit Del Rio against Rhein head coach Jim Tomsula, the first matchup between a pair of former NFL head coaches in the ELF’s history.
With the Saints’ and Musketeers’ new partnership and Paris’s momentum since their inception make the team an exciting one to keep an eye on, even from afar, in the ELF.
