Once again the NFL is making a stop in Germany. On Sunday, November 10th, 3:30 p.m., the New York Giants will meet the Carolina Panthers in the Allianz Arena in Munich. RTL reports live from the stadium, which is of course sold out. Moderator Jana Wosnitza, commentator Florian Schmidt-Sommerfeld and experts Patrick Esume (ex-NFL coach), Björn Werner (ex-NFL professional), Sebastian Vollmer (ex-NFL professional) and Markus Kuhn are on site. The latter is particularly in demand this time. For four years, from 2012 to 2015, the Mannheim native played for the Giants at the position of defensive tackle. At the beginning of 2017, Kuhn announced the end of his career. He is now a brand ambassador for the Giants. After his involvement with ProSieben, he is now also on RTL as an expert on the NHL broadcasts Sunday after Sunday. The 38-year-old lives in New York.
teleschau: The run for NFL games in this country was huge right from the start. Has the NFL actually already recognized how big the market is here in Germany?
Markus Kuhn: The NFL has definitely recognized the signs of the times. Germany is the number 1 growth market. The league is already looking for other cities in Germany where more games could take place. Since the game in Munich two years ago, the NFL has known how big the hype is in Germany. The popularity can also be seen in the number of viewers on free TV on RTL or in merchandise sales as well as in the growing number of people who practice the sport themselves. All data and facts speak for a football hype in Germany.
teleschau: The Carolina Panthers against the New York Giants. What kind of game can fans expect?
Kuhn: The New York Giants have a large fan base here and have already gained experience in Germany. 30 years ago, the Giants played their first NFL game in Germany in Berlin as part of a preseason encounter. The Panthers are also a team with marketing rights in Germany. Both teams have a certain fan base in Germany. The Giants maybe even more so, they are a strong brand. And there will also be something sporty on offer. Even if it doesn’t look like a top game on paper, that doesn’t mean you can’t see a top football game in the NFL.
“New York just has incredible energy”
teleschau: Which players are you most looking forward to?
Kuhn: I’m probably most excited about Dexter Lawrence joining the Giants. He is a defensive tackle and, at two meters and 160 kilos, an exceptional athlete. It’s unbelievable how he sometimes throws other players around. Of course, that’s also because he plays in my old position, so I always keep a close eye on him. That athleticism is fun to watch, even for people who might otherwise just want to see touchdowns.
teleschau: Can you be neutral yourself? After all, you played for the Giants yourself…
Kuhn: Of course that’s difficult for me because of my connection to the Giants, so I’m definitely for the Giants. I am convinced they are the better team.
teleschau: You were selected in the seventh round by the New York Giants in the 2012 NFL Draft. What did that mean to you, do you still remember the moment?
Kuhn: That was a huge moment in 2012 and just a huge reward for really four and a half years of extremely hard work in college. I never thought I would play in college the way I did. And God knows I never thought I would play in the NFL. The fact that it happened that day will always be a very special moment for me.
teleschau: You still live in New York today. How is life there?
Kuhn: New York is the center of my family’s life; my wife and daughter live here, and soon my second daughter too, because I’m going to be a father again. I met my wife in New York and we made our home here. The city simply has incredible energy and fortunately you are still relatively close to Germany with its airports. This sometimes makes traveling a little easier.
