The NFL is making its return to Germany this Sunday, as the Carolina Panthers take on the New York Giants in Munich. We spoke with former professional player Markus Kuhn about what football can learn from American football. The Allianz Arena in Munich will be hosting the fourth regular-season NFL game on German soil this Sunday. American sports have been experiencing growing popularity in Germany for years. While football (soccer) will not be dethroned by American football here, ahead of the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants matchup, we spoke with ex-professional Markus Kuhn about what football could learn from American football.

What can football learn from American football?

Markus Kuhn noted that this season has been turbulent for Jakob Johnson, as he navigates between the New York Giants' practice squad and the main roster, even facing releases. Should we feel sympathy for him?

Markus Kuhn: "No, there's no need for sympathy. He's in his sixth year in the NFL, which is an incredible achievement. We shouldn't forget that. The average career lasts about three seasons, and Jakob has far exceeded that."

How would you explain the current back-and-forth situation to an NFL novice?

"There's a difference between the Giants' communication with Johnson and their communication with the media. Jakob knows his role and, therefore, isn't disappointed because he's fully aware of what's happening to him. Everything is clearly communicated. For instance, he was already on the 53-man roster this season but had to be released to secure a new practice squad contract. I'm very sure we'll see him in Germany at the game—as part of the Giants."

However, many ask: where's the humanity in this constant change?

"The humanity comes from the open communication between the Giants and Johnson, not from what the public interprets. Teams don't have to explain every step publicly. But it's a tough business, and someone's career could end tomorrow. That's just how this sport works; the performance principle applies. Perform or you're out."

Is the NFL the toughest sports business in the world?

"I believe it definitely is. You always have to perform, and most players don't even have guaranteed contracts. It's the toughest league because every year, college players enter the league, and there's a 100% injury rate—everyone gets injured during their career, sometimes severely, sometimes less so. You can quickly find yourself off the roster. It's not really a career; it's more like a short dream you fulfill, maybe a good start in life."

On November 10, the NFL will visit Germany for the fourth time. However, American football won't be able to reach the level of the football adored in Germany. Yet, in 2022, the NFL and DFL agreed on a partnership. What can football learn from American football?

"There are aspects that football could adapt, as the NFL has elements that make the sport very interesting. For example, a salary cap. Teams have a certain financial framework that they must not exceed."

Initial steps have already been taken in European football, though without absolute sums. What are the advantages of a salary cap?

"Teams' rosters are balanced as much as possible to keep the sport exciting and prevent one team from dominating, which works very well in the NFL. Other advantages include capped manager salaries, ensuring that agents don't take an excessive percentage and relatives don't receive undue contracts to 'help' them. It's very clearly regulated who can become an agent, largely to protect players, which I find important."

Would the Bundesliga benefit from playoffs and a 'Super Bowl'—a final game for the title?

"There are elimination rounds in football, which is why I enjoy events like the UEFA European Championship or the FIFA World Cup. Saying whether the Bundesliga should implement this is difficult. Personally, I really like the NFL system; it defines the league and makes it special and exciting. I'm really happy that the NFL works that way, and thankfully, they will never change that."

Tools that the NFL also uses include the draft, talent selection, or the league system without promotion or relegation. Changes in sports structures would be necessary here. How feasible is that?

"The entire sports system in the US is set up completely differently than the European league sport with relegation. This makes it extremely difficult to extract certain characteristics and compare them. For example, when would the draft be appropriate in football? At 16? At 12? Scouting is also completely different; in the US, the college system prepares players for professional sports."

What are the advantages of the college system?

"Sports have a much higher status in America than in Germany. There are so many sports where everyone can find their place. That's why the Olympics are so important. It positively influences a person's personal development and society when they engage in sports and understand what it takes to perform. In the college system, it's nice not to have to decide at a young age to become professional in football, soccer, or basketball, perhaps sacrificing their academic path."

How was that for you? You were at North Carolina State University.

"I really enjoyed not having to abandon my football career to go to university at a young age—it was the opposite! I could play American football at a professional level while completing my business administration degree. It would have been incredibly helpful if my NFL career hadn't materialized. The university experience was perfect in that regard, allowing me to compete at a high level while studying."

After the Olympics, there are often discussions in Germany about the need for reforms. Is the college system a plausible model or perhaps even the right path for Germany?

"In Germany, the educational experience is comparatively 'free' compared to the US. Over there, recruitment is needed to convince people to pay high fees for their studies. Often, a successful football or basketball team is a reason for decisions. In Germany, it's more about the academic path alone. No one chooses the University of Mannheim or Heidelberg for better basketball. The entire system—educational and athletic—is so different that it's difficult to extract specific aspects from each system. However, one thing is certain: more should be done in Germany for the promotion of sports."

In football, strikes are now being threatened due to the number of games and high demands. Should football look to the NFL, which only plays for six months?

"I have sympathy for footballers because it's simply becoming too much. They're told they have to play so much because they earn a lot of money. That's a stupid comparison because players don't have to justify their salaries. Clubs set the salaries, not the players. But we see better quality games when players are more rested. We shouldn't always try to schedule more games, as it can lead to saturation."

Can the NFL handle more games, conversely?

"Don't forget: our sport is so tough and brutal that we couldn't play any more. We're almost at the limit, as our bodies can barely withstand the brutality and intensity for more than half the year. We're more like boxers and fighters, who compete two to three times a year, not like footballers, basketball players, or hockey players, who compete 50 to 100 times a year."

However, the NFL is experiencing immense success worldwide, especially in marketing, particularly with international games. What are they doing so well that others could learn from?

"Since we, athletes, wear helmets, it's not so much about the individual but rather about what the sport offers—entertainment, the American way of life, sport, that team feeling, which creates excitement, leading to finding a team you can identify with. The NFL tackles this intelligently on several levels, allowing teams to market themselves individually because they know best what fans want. At the same time, the league has various ways to broaden the sport, such as good media partnerships."

RTL has been broadcasting the NFL in Germany since last season...

"That caused a stir. Everyone said, 'Oh my God, the NFL is giving rights to RTL and not ProSiebenSat.1 anymore.' But it's a strategically sound move because sometimes you have to take a risk and jump into the unknown to raise the level. The NFL does a great job at that. Marketing and entertainment are areas where Americans excel tremendously."

There are also a lot of shows around the games, with anthems. Why does it work in the US but is not as well received here in football? And what makes this show special?

"American football also works incredibly well here. People sing, and it's always an immensely beautiful moment because it's a celebration, and that will be the case on Sunday too. It's about celebrating together as a community, where everyone in the stadium comes together to experience and celebrate a fantastic sporting event. It unites everyone and is expressed impressively in the national anthem. Otherwise, Germans sometimes have a bit more difficulty than very patriotic Americans. But in football, it fits very well, and people are familiar with it. Sometimes it's nice that there are elements in American football that are not present in football; we should celebrate those differences instead of trying to make everything the same."

NFL in Germany: More than just a game

The NFL's foray into Germany is more than just a sporting event; it's a cultural exchange that showcases the unique aspects of both American and European football. While the NFL's popularity in Germany is growing, the clash of the Titans in Munich this Sunday offers a glimpse into the future of American sports in Europe. Whether the NFL can truly rival the beloved sport of football in Germany remains to be seen, but the game in Munich is a testament to the sport's global appeal and its potential to further integrate into European culture.