In the second attempt, the German professional football clubs narrowly voted in favor of bringing in an investor. This should bring the DFL around one billion euros in the future. There had previously been a lot of criticism from fans.
The representatives of the 36 first and second division clubs have cleared the way for the German Football League (DFL)’s planned billion-dollar deal with an investor. According to consistent media reports, a corresponding motion received just under the necessary two-thirds majority with 24 yes votes at the DFL general meeting in a Frankfurt airport hotel on Monday.
What the German Football League hopes for from an investor – and what critics fear
In May, a vote by the 36 German professional football clubs on an investor in the DFL failed. There will be another vote on Monday. The outcome of the vote remains unclear, also because clubs like 1. FC Union have changed their minds. By Jonas Bürgenermore
Investor should pay one billion euros
The management of the umbrella organization of German professional football can now begin concrete negotiations with a strategic marketing partner. Six companies are said to have expressed interest in a partnership with the DFL. A financial investor is expected to pay one billion euros for a percentage share of the TV revenue. The contract should have a maximum term of 20 years and be signed by the start of the 2024/25 season.
The DFL wants to use the money primarily to expand its infrastructure. This includes further digitization and internationalization as well as the development of our own streaming platform. The project failed in May of this year. At that time, the necessary two-thirds majority was narrowly missed.
It is not known how 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC voted in the secret ballot. Union President Dirk Zingler recently had one Calls for the vote to be postponed and sharp criticism of the behavior of other clubs.
Resistance in the stadiums
There was resistance to such a deal from the fan camp until the very end. The supporters, who also expressed their protest on banners in many stadiums last weekend, fear that the entry of an investor will distort competition.
DFL managing directors Marc Lenz and Steffen Merkel, however, had again pointed out before the vote that the future partner should only be granted limited say in the economic area. “If a potential partner does not accept the red lines, he is not the right one for us,” emphasized Lenz.
Broadcast: rbb24, December 11, 2023, 6 p.m
