By Eric Dobias, dpa I Monday, Dec. 11, 2023
BERLIN – Representatives of the 36 first and second division clubs in Germany have approved the German Football League’s (DFL) plans to allow the Bundesliga and second division to welcome external investors, according to dpa information.
A motion to this effect received the necessary two-thirds majority with 24 votes in favour at the DFL general meeting in Frankfurt on Monday.
With the approval, the DFL can now enter into concrete negotiations with a strategic marketing partner to pay €1 billion ($1.08 billion) for a percentage of television income, with the money to strengthen the DFL’s business model and marketing abroad where the Bundesliga lags far behind England’s Premier League.
Six companies are reportedly interested and a contract would start for the next season and run for a maximum 20 years.
A similar plan was rejected in May, when the necessary two-thirds majority was not reached.
Football fans have widely criticized the proposal, saying that the entry of an investor would distort the competition.
The fan association Unsere Kurve (Our Curve) recently told dpa that the model “strengthens the top third of the DFL leagues, while two thirds of the clubs can only expect minimal improvements.”
During the weekend’s matches, several fan groups expressed their opposition against external investors. Union Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach fans, for exampled, showed banners saying “No to investors in the DFL” during their game.
