5 reasons Germany is key to American Football’s International expansion
American Football is arguably the most popular sport in our nation. From August through February, the major league sport captures massive audiences each week from Thursday through Monday. Through the years, the popularity and growth of the sport has greatly impacted one European country.
Germany provides an untapped consumer market, new generations of dedicated fans and a potential opportunity for the league to go abroad.
1. The NFL London Series
The National Football League has already found moderate success in playing games abroad, with series in London and Mexico City.
The first NFL game played in London was in 2007, pitting the New York Giants against the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium.
American Football International (AFI) wrote in May, 2020, that “The game proved to be an enormous success after the tickets finished off within the first 90 minutes after being on sale.”
With growing popularity, and a fresh market not far from the United Kingdom, fans in Germany got a taste for one of America’s biggest sports. This meant that it was possible for European fans to have easier access, in both time and distance, to the game.
2. German nationals playing professionally
Compared to other major league American sports, like Basketball, Hockey and even Baseball, Football has had a very small influx of international players. The only other country to have a remotely comparable league, in terms of success, belongs to our northernly neighbors. The Canadian Football League, or CFL, has often taken leftover players who have either dropped out of the NFL or were not drafted onto professional teams.
Although international talent has eluded Football, multiple German players have added to the nation’s support for the game.
- The first ever European-drafted player without any former U.S. college experience hails from Germany; Moritz Böhringer.
- One of the most important offensive lineman during the New England Patriots dynasty, Sebastian Vollmer, also comes from Germany.
- Other German NFL players include: Markus Kuhn, Mark Nzeocha, Jakob Johnson and more.
3. Increased viewing access for German fans
German television companies have made it possible for citizens to watch free NFL games via standard cable television. What may seem like something minor for American fans, being able to watch weekly NFL games on television for free is a massive feat for fans in Germany.
The major German cable network, ProSiebenSat.1, signed its first contract to air NFL games in 2012.
Another major player in sports broadcasting, DAZN, pronounced “duh-zone” as a play on “the zone”, has brought sports and streaming together at a respectable price for European fans. For €11.99 per month, DAZN offers:
- American Football (NFL)
- basketball (NBA)
- baseball (MLB)
- WWE and MMA
- European soccer league games and much more
DAZN provides live game footage with German commentary, as well as the ability to watch previously casted games.
4. Growing size and popularity of semi-professional Football leagues in Germany
According to The Growth of a Game’s 2019 list, a Belgian group dedicated to spreading Football in Europe, “Germany currently has over 200 men’s and 40 women’s teams, and that number is growing every year.”
The Growth of a Game complied a complete list referencing every team, both semi-professional and recreational. Maybe the most popular league, the German Football League (GFL), has 16 teams located across the country.
The GFL was formed in 1979 and has increased the amount of teams since its foundation, from 6 to 16. The league may seem mediocre at best to many die-hard American fans, but the ability to maintain a league of 16 teams in a country where the game is gaining popularity is impressive.
5. German Market
As seen throughout the list, access to Football is easier than ever, and more people are following and playing the sport throughout Germany.
As younger generations are connecting even deeper to the league and its players, via social media and other technological advances, Germany provides a wide-open market for the League.
Establishing a NFL-Germany series could payoff for the National Football League. The country boasts one of the worlds best Soccer Leagues, the Bundesliga, so stadiums should not be an issue. Dedicated fans and viewers interested in something new would almost definitely fill the seats.
As this new wave of German fans continues to consume the sport, it will be interesting to see what plans the NFL makes to reach out to other international destinations. Perhaps Germany will be on top of the list, should the opportunity arise.
