DFL investor deal collapsed
Hellmann: “Persevering didn’t work”
Axel Hellmann does not see the danger of a split between the 1st and 2nd leagues or of going it alone in marketing. photo
© Roberto Pfeil/dpa
In the end, the pressure was too great – and the communication too poor. In any case, these are the conclusions of DFL executive board member Axel Hellmann from the failed investor process.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s board spokesman Axel Hellmann blamed the failed communication among many club officials as the main reason for the failed investor process German football league.
He believes that the flow of information from supporters among the 36 professional clubs to the control committees, general meetings or fan scenes “was not such that the promise that they gave beforehand that they wanted and supported the deal could be maintained in the end,” he said DFL executive board member in the ZDF sports studio. “This perseverance didn’t work.” The biggest learning effect from this is “that we have to approach communication at club level differently,” demanded Hellmann.
After weeks of fan protests and increasing demands from club officials for a new vote, the DFL stopped the investor process, which was approved by a narrow two-thirds majority at the general meeting in December, during the week. Due to the controversial role of Hanover managing director Martin Kind, there is suspicion that the vote could have violated the 50+1 rule. The rule limits the influence of external donors on the clubs in the 1st and 2nd leagues. Kind has not commented on his vote.
The DFL wanted a billion euros
The DFL wanted a billion euros from a financial investor for a percentage share of the TV revenue. Hellmann explained that it’s not so easy for the clubs to take out loans for this purpose: “We can’t simply take out outside capital under the conditions that some people may be familiar with when building houses. Unfortunately, the world is different for us because it’s high-risk capital is how we use it.”
The option of distributing less TV money and instead investing it in the future is also risky. It would affect clubs with relatively low equity and lead to an even greater gap, “which we want to avoid,” said the former interim managing director of the DFL.
However, Hellmann currently does not see any danger of a split between the 1st and 2nd leagues or of going it alone in marketing. “I believe that central marketing is a crucial asset that sets us apart in the Bundesliga,” he said: “The ultimate goal for us must be to maintain the unity of the 36 clubs in terms of value creation in the Bundesliga. We can do that “We will achieve the best results from the media tender and we will also stick to essential values.”