NFL teams with German mascots named Leo, Wolfgang and Fritz wooing fans in Munich

“Leo” stood on a table and encouraged fans to cheer on Barry Sanders as the Detroit Lions great used a mallet to tap a wooden keg of beer at the team pub in Munich.Leo, whose shaggy mane sports the colors of the German flag, is the Lions’ German mascot who has been appearing around Munich this week ahead of Detroit’s game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

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NFL teams are using mascot diplomacy to win over international fans, and several teams have created German versions of their fun and furry characters with names like Wolfgang, Fritz and Leo.The funsters are welcome additions in Germany, where fans are accustomed to the mascots of Bundesliga soccer clubs.“We like it when the mascots are running around or making a show in the stadium.

It’s very funny, and the atmosphere, we love it,” local fan Theresa Goebel said Saturday during a visit to the Lions fan fest in Munich.Germany is the most sought-after country among NFL teams, 11 of which have league-granted marketing rights in t