ESPN signs Jordan Mailata for Australian NFL series

ESPN Australia has signed Philadelphia Eagles star and Super Bowl champion Jordan Mailata to front a new locally produced content series during the coming NFL season.

Off the Line with Jordan Mailata will premiere on 8 September and run for 11 episodes, released every two weeks across ESPN television, digital and social platforms, including Disney+.

The series will follow Mailata through the NFL regular season and playoffs, then conclude with content from Super Bowl week.

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Mailata takes viewers behind the scenes

The series will take Australian viewers inside Mailata’s season with the Philadelphia Eagles, combining behind-the-scenes access with his analysis of developments across the NFL.

The former rugby league player has become one of Australia’s most successful sporting exports after joining the Eagles through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program and winning the Super Bowl.

ESPN Asia-Pacific head Kylie Watson-Wheeler said Mailata would add an Australian perspective to the network’s NFL coverage.

“We’re excited to be bringing Jordan’s unique voice on NFL to our ESPN Australia audiences. His journey from Rugby League player to Super Bowl champion is a remarkable one, and combined with an engaging personality, makes his perspectives and insights a valuable addition to our comprehensive NFL coverage on ESPN.”

Mailata said: “I’ve loved my time working with ESPN Australia and I’m excited to take fans inside my world. I hope to show a different side of NFL life throughout the season, taking fans behind the curtain from opening week all the way to the Super Bowl”.

ESPN builds around NFL Melbourne

The commission expands ESPN Australia’s NFL slate ahead of the league’s first regular-season game in Melbourne.

ESPN will deliver at least six NFL games each week during the season, along with seven hours of NFL RedZone each Monday, exclusively on Disney+.

The network is also producing NFL Blitz: Road to Melbourne, covering the lead-up to the Los Angeles Rams’ clash with the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A separate docuseries, It All Starts in Melbourne, will follow the Rams’ preparations before their trip to Australia.

ESPN will carry the Rams-49ers game on Friday, 11 September.