Berlin – A modern sport funding law in Germany is moving forward, but not without significant compromise and contention. Even as the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) secured some key concessions, the core aim of establishing an independent agency to oversee elite sports funding—separate from the DOSB’s direct control—will proceed as planned. The finalized draft, set to be presented to the German Cabinet next week, represents a complex negotiation between various stakeholders, including the DOSB, the federal government, and athlete representatives.
The initial hope of the DOSB was to house the new funding agency directly within its organizational structure. However, that ambition has been thwarted, with the government, led by State Minister for Sport and Volunteering Christiane Schenderlein (CDU), arguing that such an arrangement would compromise the agency’s independence. Schenderlein has publicly stated the agency needs to fundamentally reorganize elite sports funding, a task she believes is incompatible with the DOSB acting as both regulator and interested party. The federal government will retain ultimate control over how approximately €350 million annually in funding is distributed, currently drawn from the Chancellor’s Office budget.
Athlete Representation Faces Setback
The draft legislation has drawn sharp criticism from “Athleten Deutschland,” the independent athlete representation group, who decried the proposal as a “blatant step backward.” Their primary concern centers on the lack of a guaranteed seat for athlete representatives on the agency’s governing board, the Stiftungsrat. “Instead of progress, the draft brings a blatant setback,” the organization stated in a release Wednesday. “The agency’s mandate has been weakened, and its independence is jeopardized by greater influence from organized sport.” Pia Greiten, President of Athleten Deutschland, expressed shock and declared the group’s firm opposition to the current draft.
The issue stems from the fact that while the DOSB could potentially reserve one of its three seats on the nine-member Stiftungsrat for an athlete representative, there’s no requirement that this individual come from Athleten Deutschland or any similar independent body. This leaves open the possibility of the DOSB appointing a representative aligned with its own interests, effectively silencing independent athlete voices in the crucial decision-making process. This detail, according to sources, has been a major sticking point throughout the negotiations.
For context, the Stiftungsrat is the highest oversight body for the new elite sports funding agency. Its members will play a critical role in shaping the future of German sports funding, determining which programs receive support and setting the criteria for allocation. The agency’s two board members, responsible for the day-to-day management of funds and implementation of policies, will require the explicit approval of the Stiftungsrat, including a representative from the political sphere and the three DOSB representatives.
The DOSB, however, has secured some significant wins in the final draft. Originally slated for only one of five positions on the Stiftungsrat, the organization will now hold three of the nine seats. This gives the DOSB a substantial voice in the agency’s governance and, crucially, a veto power over the selection of the agency’s two board members. This veto power, alongside the political representative’s vote, ensures the DOSB retains considerable influence over the direction of elite sports funding.
The back-and-forth over this legislation highlights the ongoing tension between the desire for greater government oversight and the traditional autonomy of sports organizations in Germany. The debate likewise underscores the growing demand for athlete representation and a more transparent and accountable system for distributing public funds to elite sports programs. The current structure, where the federal government allocates significant funding through the Chancellor’s Office, has long been criticized for a lack of clarity and potential for political influence.
A group from the “sport political environment in Bavaria,” as DOSB Sports Director Olaf Tabor noted in a recent email, had attempted to bring the planned elite sports agency under the direct control of the DOSB in recent weeks. This effort ultimately failed, signaling a clear preference from the federal government for a more independent agency.
The implications of this new law extend beyond the immediate allocation of funding. It represents a broader shift in the power dynamics within German sports, with the government asserting greater control over a sector traditionally dominated by the DOSB and its member federations. The success of the agency will depend on its ability to navigate these complex relationships and establish a transparent and effective system for supporting German athletes and sports programs.
The next step is the presentation of the final draft to the German Cabinet and subsequent parliamentary proceedings. Intense debate is expected as various stakeholders lobby for further amendments. The outcome will shape the future of elite sports funding in Germany for years to come.
What’s Next: The draft legislation will be presented to the German Cabinet next week, followed by parliamentary debate. The timeline for final approval and implementation remains uncertain, but officials aim to have the new agency operational by early 2027.
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