Just days after rumors resurfaced about the Kansas City Chiefs playing a game in Germany in 2023, the team has announced a new partnership with a global sports agency that will focus on expanding team presence in Germany.
The Chiefs agreed on a comprehensive partnership with SPORTFIVE agency, which will assist in developing international strategy, asset development, and commercial sales in the German market through regional hubs in Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich.
“We have discussed that a thoughtful, long-term commitment will be required for us to reach our goals in Germany and beyond,” Chiefs Vice President of Partnerships and Premium Sales Kim Hobbs said, via press release. “Aligning with SPORTFIVE and its team of professionals will help us reach and exceed those goals and will offer us the chance to learn more about the opportunities in front of us along the way.”
SPORTFIVE has over 30 years of global marketing experience working with franchises such as Atlético de Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Jets. They’re a key marketing partner for 17 professional soccer clubs located in Germany.
“We’re proud to have been selected by the Kansas City Chiefs to help grow their fan base and business opportunities in Germany,” Neil Glat, Co-President, Americas at SPORTFIVE said via press release. “The Chiefs are an iconic franchise with one of the most exciting rosters in the sport, and this partnership is a great opportunity for us to utilize our expertise to help the Chiefs grow their tremendous brand and business globally.”
According to the press release, the NFL’s popularity is growing in Germany. The NFL’s International Fan Tracker reports the league has over 19 million fans in Germany, with popularity on the rise among youth: “The league is especially popular among young people, as it is already the second most popular sport on television among the German audience between 14 and 49.”
With the NFL set to play its first-ever regular-season game in Germany in 2022, they expect popularity to continue to rise. The Chiefs, in coordination with SPORTFIVE, plan to capitalize on that opportunity.
“The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most exciting teams in sports with a long-term vision of becoming a globally leading sports team,” Christian Koller, Head of Rights-holder Internationalization at SPORTFIVE said via press release. “We are excited to be working closely with them to make this vision a reality within the next years.”
