The vote on concrete negotiations with a possible strategic partner for the DFL was close. Nevertheless, those involved see an absolutely viable result.
Frankfurt’s CEO Axel Hellmann, Mainz CEO Stefan Hofmann and FCB CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen (from left). picture alliance/dpa
DFL managing directors Marc Lenz and Steffen Merkel were relieved and satisfied. With the necessary two-thirds majority of 24 votes in favor, ten against and two abstentions, the clubs of the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga voted on Monday in Frankfurt am Main for concrete negotiations between the DFL management and a strategic partner. At the request of the DFL Presidium, the vote took place secretly. Lenz viewed the result as “a good sign from the league association that together, i.e. the DFL and the clubs, we are continuing to develop the 1st and 2nd leagues.” With the declared goal of “remaining competitive in sport with deep social roots,” says Lenz. “This requires healthy economic development. We agreed that investments are necessary for this.”
A viable compromise – even for clubs that voted “no”.
Lenz and Merkel do not dispute the fact that 24 yes votes were the narrowest possible result according to the statutes. “Experience has shown that finding a majority on long-term issues is not easy because each club decides in its own context,” explains Lenz. “That’s why the two-thirds majority per se forms a very good basis on which to act. Ultimately, it is a significant majority.” The duo also made it clear several times: The model, which was developed in intensive discussions with club representatives and also taking into account criticism from the fan scene, also represents a viable compromise for most of the clubs that voted “no”. Like, for example, second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf, which ultimately followed a member vote.
There were significantly greater reservations in the 2nd league than in the upper house
In general, the process met with greater approval in the upper house than in the second league. According to kicker information, a test vote at the previous partial meeting of the first division clubs resulted in 14 yes votes, with three rejections and one abstention. Accordingly, the ratio of votes within the 2nd league should have been: ten times yes, seven times no and one abstention. Regardless of such details, Merkel sees the general approval as “an important signal” with a view to the tender for national media rights for the period 2025 to 2029, which is to be completed in the second quarter of 2024. This convincingly conveys to media partners “that German football is ready “to invest amicably in the future”. It’s not just for this reason, Merkel said, that he “doesn’t share the predictions of doom” regarding a drastic decline in media revenues. Especially since an “even more attractive product” will be offered in the future. Details of this will be “concretely presented” in January, with Merkel stating: “We always act with a sense of proportion. We will remain a different product than the US leagues with open locker rooms and will not dedicate ourselves completely to commerce and entertainment.”
We want to become more competitive as a league and secure second place internationally behind the Premier League.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s CFO Oliver Frankenbach
The order in which further discussions will be held with known interested parties from the private equity sector will be determined on Tuesday at a DFL executive committee meeting. The deal should be finalized by the end of March at the latest – i.e. in time before the national media rights are awarded. The result was consistently received positively by the majority of participants on Monday: “We want to become more competitive as a league and secure second place behind the Premier League in an international comparison,” explained Eintracht Frankfurt’s CFO Oliver Frankenbach. “That’s why this step is necessary.” In addition, Frankenbach, like Leverkusen’s CEO Fernando Carro, also hopes for a positive effect on the tender for national TV rights.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO of industry leader FC Bayern, was also “quite satisfied”. “As a league, we have to show our face much more internationally, and we are now given opportunities to do that.” Of course, according to Dreesen, it is now also crucial to “explain to the fan community that we are not talking about selling shares, but rather about sharing the proceeds – with clear red lines for the partner, for example when it comes to game plans and venues.”
Leverkusen boss Carro: “Now it’s the management’s job to negotiate hard”
Meanwhile, the close result confirms “how difficult it is to get a unified opinion within the leagues,” said Bayer boss Carro. “That’s why I’m satisfied that we made a decision.” For some club representatives, the insight into the need for a joint resolution was more important than the specific content. This is how Mainz board member Stefan Hofmann put it: “We agreed. But not out of complete conviction, but because it is a decent alternative. It’s not always just black or white, but also gray.” At the same time, Carro emphasized: “That was only a small step today. It is still questionable whether a partnership will actually happen. Now it is the management’s job to negotiate hard with the possible partners. After all, it is about German football’s money. For the management, the work is just now beginning.”
Topic The league and the “strategic partner”
The discussion about a DFL investor
on the topic The DFL leadership wants to obtain capital from an investor for investments in, among other things, digitalization. An initial concept did not achieve the required two-thirds majority. A new approach will be voted on on December 11th.
2023-12-11 16:17:11
#Important #signal #step #work #beginning
