MADRID — What happened Sunday afternoon at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — yes, it was afternoon over here while it’s morning back home — was at base a football game between the Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins. It is also quite obviously a tiny piece of a massive business plan. For the struggling Commanders and Dolphins, the game matters. For the NFL, the exercise in global marketing is far more important.

Sunday’s game was the 62nd that America’s most valuable sports league will stage as part of an “International Series” that dates from 2007. The Commanders have said all week they’re here on business. It’s important to realize they’re just pawns in the larger business. Expanding international reach – for the NFL, sure, but for the NBA, MLB and the NHL as well – isn’t just the gimmic

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