12 Questions with Angie Raab
Angie Raab combines sports, lifestyle and US energy with a very approachable view of community, events and modern sports culture. In the EFA Talk, she speaks about Munich, basketball, American football, social media, women in sports content and why live sports can bring people together in a special way.
In this 12 Questions interview, Angie Raab shows why sport is much more to her than scores and highlights. It is about emotions, atmosphere, closeness, social media, the role of fans and how basketball, football and US sports can continue to grow in Germany.
Angie, many people know you as a creator with a strong sports, lifestyle and US vibe. How would you introduce yourself to someone who does not know you yet?
I would say I am someone who loves sport, lifestyle and that positive US energy – but at the same time has stayed very real and down to earth. A lot of what I share really comes from my everyday life: training, routines, travel, motivation, but also the moments in between. It is important to me that people feel inspired without everything having to look perfect. I love doing things with passion, collecting new experiences and taking my community along with me.
You are from Munich and are often around sports culture. What makes Munich’s sports scene special for you?
It is the power, the variety and also the passion of sports fans in Munich. The city is multicultural, and that is reflected in sport as well. In Munich, there is something for everyone.
You regularly take your community into arenas, to events and behind the scenes. What fascinates you about showing sport not only as something to watch, but as an experience?
Every time I am in arenas, I am fascinated by being there with hundreds or thousands of people who do not know each other but share one thing: passion for the sport and their team. It is almost like a language that everyone understands. A special sense of community that is hard to describe. The passion, energy and emotions as a whole are something very special every time.
Basketball plays a major role in your content. What first drew you into that culture: the game, the arena, the fans, the aesthetics or the whole atmosphere around it?
I still remember my very first basketball game. The first thing that grabbed me was the atmosphere in the arena – and how Isaac Bonga played on the court. After the game I was simply blown away by the team’s performance, the excitement of the fans and how fast and strategic basketball is as a sport.
You have also had touchpoints with American football and the Munich Ravens. What was your first impression of live football in the stadium?
I was very positively surprised. To be honest, I underestimated the American football community in Germany for a very long time. My public sorry at this point. You are really intense. I can definitely recommend even non-fans to go to a live game once.
Many people say American football in Germany is a mix of sport, show, community and event. How do you perceive that scene?
I can absolutely agree with that. It is a mix of sport, show, community and event. Of course, it is not yet at the American level, but I would say we are on a good path. There is still a lot to do, but we are moving in that direction.
As a creator, you also reach people who may not have had much contact with basketball or football before. How important is social media today for winning new fans for sports?
Nothing works without social media. Anyone who has not understood how important social media is in our time will simply disappear from the scene. I said what I said. I also think that athletes themselves still promote and share far too little. That is one of the biggest levers: if elite athletes start sharing more, promoting more, taking fans with them and becoming more approachable, their passion can spill over to many more people.
In your opinion, what does a sports event need so that people do not just come once, but really want to become part of the community?
People really have to be included. A sports event is something special – not only for the athletes or investors, but above all for the fans. In the end, it is the people and the community who make something like this possible. That is why fans should be at the center: through good social media community management, giveaways, activations on game days, entertainment during timeouts, activities before and after the game, Q&As or meet-and-greets that make athletes more approachable and create a real connection. That is how a long-term community develops, not just a one-time event visit. There are countless possibilities.
You work a lot with personality, humor and closeness to your community. How hard is it to stay authentic on social media when everything is fast, loud and supposed to look perfect?
When you do what you love, it often does not feel like such a big thing. As long as you stay true to yourself and know who you are, being authentic is not really a huge issue. It becomes more difficult when you are privately going through tough phases. You want to protect yourself but also not burden the community. I think the key to staying authentic is to regularly remember who you really are outside social media. And above all to spend enough time with family and friends who have nothing to do with that world or who knew you long before social media. That keeps you grounded. Social media is only part of real life and not your whole identity. You have to be careful not to lose sight of who you really are on that rollercoaster.
Women in sports content often bring new perspectives, new target groups and a different energy. How do you experience your place in this sports and creator world?
I think women in sports content often bring in different perspectives and emotions – and that is exactly what makes the scene more diverse and exciting. I simply try to go my own way without being pushed into any role. It is great to see more and more women finding their place in the sports and creator world and showing that sports content does not have to work in only one way. In the end, it is about inspiring people with genuine passion for sport – regardless of who is in front of the camera. We need more female power in sports. I hope I can encourage some girls to do that.
When you look at the future of basketball, American football and US sports in Germany: where do you see the greatest potential?
The expansions of the NFL and NBA already show how much interest has grown in Germany. I think these two sports currently have the greatest potential – especially among the younger generation. People are excited about it. We need more investment, more events, more people and role models who push it forward. And everyone can contribute something. There is enough to do.
To finish: if someone discovers Angie Raab through this interview, what should that person take away about you, your work and your love of sport?
I hope the person takes away that I truly stand behind what I do with passion – whether in sport, on social media or in real life. For me, sport is much more than games or results. It is about emotions, inspiration and bringing people together to move something beyond the field. That is exactly what I want to convey with my work: to be authentic, to motivate people that they can achieve anything if they believe in it and follow their path – while never forgetting who they are.
Many thanks to Angie Raab for her open answers and her special perspective on sport, community and modern creator culture. Her interview shows how important genuine passion, approachability and strong stories are for the future of sports such as basketball and American football in Germany.