• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The Chiefs: Big in Germany. (But Does It Matter?)

  • Chiefs president Mark Donovan lays out Kansas City’s international ambitions: in the red now, break-even in the next 18 months.
  • Donovan: ‘We now have the world’s demographic, the world’s population, if we can just get the content in front of them.’
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The two teams in the Super Bowl typically lose money, in part because of the costs of travel, bloated by giant entourages, often including all of a club’s employees. Money is made in future years by higher ticket and sponsorship prices driven by the success and exposure.

But that doesn’t mean clubs aren’t using Super Bowl week for business. The Chiefs, who have an ambitious international strategy, are hosting executives of three of their German partners in Las Vegas this week, according to Mark Donovan, Kansas City’s president, as the Midwestern club continues to be one of the most ambitious NFL franchises in mining overseas opportunities. (The three: Crave, a German pet food company; apparel maker Englebert Strauss; and an agency, Brands and Emotions.)

“We are always activating,” Donovan told a group of media earlier this week. “We are one of the most aggressive teams in growing internationally, because we see the value for a small market team to say, ‘There are no boundaries.’ We now have the world’s demographic, the world’s population, if we can just get the content in front of them.”

The Chiefs are putting millions of dollars toward their push into Germany, where the NFL allows the team to market under a program that assigns geographic commercial opportunities to clubs. But for the Chiefs, it is a long-term vision.

“I don’t think international is all upside,” Donovan said. “I think there’s a lot of investment; we’ve had to put a lot of money against it. … It is exponential upside.”

Asked whether the Chiefs were in the red or black overseas, Donovan said the team was right now losing money. “I project that we will be at break-even in the next 18 months. And that will be dramatically impacted by whether or not we play another game internationally. (The Chiefs played the Dolphins in Frankfurt this season.) Because what we saw from Germany is we were able to grow the business a bit just by putting forth effort and creating relationships. The game was pretty exponential for us in terms of growth through a partnership standpoint.”

The Panthers have been announced as the home team for a game in Munich next season, and Donovan has already made known that the Chiefs want to be the away team. But he is doubtful that will happen, as the Chiefs are a big road draw, and the Panthers won’t want to give that up.

“We’re in the top one or two of every social media [metric] you could have in terms of NFL-related entities in Germany,” Donovan said. “And that’s been a three-year effort to get there. We’ve had a lot of success on that front.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) fakes a hand off in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Amazon Says It Wants to Broadcast a Super Bowl

Jay Marine says he is “optimistic” about airing the Big Game.
Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Netflix Christmas GameDay cake seen after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

‘We Didn’t Get a Test Run’: Greg Olsen on Netflix NFL Christmas..

Greg Olsen said the game was uncharted territory for him.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert (21) shoots a jump shot during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) at Moda Center.

Trail Blazers Sale and Ownership Group Finalized, Now Awaiting NBA Approval

Dundon’s ownership group also includes the founders of Panda Express.
Valkyries
September 15, 2025

Valkyries Will Try to Remake Ballhalla 50 Miles Away

Golden State will try to stave off elimination in an unfamiliar environment.
September 15, 2025

Warriors $75M Pitch Fails to Sway Kuminga As Season Looms

Kuminga and his representatives want a long-term deal.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) runs to first base during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
September 12, 2025

The $339 Million Mets Are in Jeopardy of Missing the Playoffs

The Mets’ wild-card lead is 1.5 games with 15 remaining in the regular season.
Sep 10, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards (8) fights to keep the ball in-bounds during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena.
September 12, 2025

Connecticut AG Demands Documents From WNBA About Sun Sale Process

The WNBA reportedly prefers to move the team to Houston.
Mar 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
September 11, 2025

Hornets Cancel Sports Betting Night Vs. Heat Over Terry Rozier Tie-In

Terry Rozier is under federal investigation for point-shaving in a 2023 game when he was on the Hornets.
May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
September 11, 2025

Clippers Minority Owner Allegedly Invested in Aspiration to Pay Kawhi

Minority investor Dennis Wong allegedly invested in Aspiration as well.