Taking American football to China might have been an idea many had dismissed as a joke, but it has certainly paid off for Conshohocken businessman Marty Judge.

Last Saturday, Judge – the founder and CEO of The Judge Group, a professional services firm that provides technology, talent, and learning solutions to businesses around the globe – saw 11,500 fans show up at the LeSport Beijing Arena to watch the debut of the China Arena Football League.

“Five years ago, people laughed at me when I said I would bring American football to China,” said Judge. “Here we are, on the home floor of the Beijing Ducks, and the China Olympics, and they came to see us – the CAFL, how about that!”

The inaugural game was live on television both in China and the U.S., with the CAFL Football Network delivering an innovative, split-language feed.

The teams are made up of both American and Chinese players.

“All of us – owners, staff, U.S. players, and coaches – are very, very happy for the success of the Chinese players in their debut,” said former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, a league executive along with his former coach Dick Vermeil.