National Football League

NFL considering Brazil as host for 2017 Pro Bowl

Published Mar. 23, 2015 9:09 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

One of the world's biggest soccer hotbeds could soon host a different type of football event.

A source told FOXSports.com that Brazil is a viable candidate to host the 2017 Pro Bowl.

The all-star exhibition game's future destination is one of the subjects that will be broached during the NFL's annual meeting being held from Monday through Wednesday in Phoenix.

There are several reasons Brazil is under consideration as the first non-U.S. site for the Pro Bowl. The NFL has drawn growing interest in that South American country from a television viewership and participation standpoint, which appeals to a league looking to expand its international interests.

The NFL also believes Brazil could hold allure to participating players as an exotic locale and unique experience.

The 2016 Pro Bowl will return to Hawaii after being played earlier this year in Glendale, Ariz., the site for Super Bowl XLIX. The NFL is exploring multiple cities for the 2017 Pro Bowl outside of Super Bowl host site Houston.

Once the highest-rated all-star game held by the four major U.S. sports leagues, the Pro Bowl has seen its viewership decline for four consecutive years.

The 5.6 rating for the 2015 Pro Bowl was the lowest for the contest since 2007, but the 8.77 million viewership on ESPN still led all cable television programs for the week.