“Insurable differences”
Krach in the football league: TV expert throws down
25.07.2025 – 4:42 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Patrick Esume is known primarily as an expert at ProSieben and RTL, but also as head of the European League of Football. But that has an end.
In the European League of Football, the power struggle is coming to a head. In the middle of the current season, Commissioner Patrick Esume announces his resignation-a step that discloses deeper trenches between league leadership and clubs.
As Esume’s lawyer announced, the 51-year-old will not only end his work as a commissioner after the end of the season, but will also give up his role as a partner. Those responsible for the sporting and operational business also want to withdraw from the league.
The background is “insurmountable differences” with league managing director Zeljko Karajica. The leadership, financial orientation and the future of the eleven, have not agreed on central questions. Esume said it was “not nice” to have to make such a decision in the middle of the season – but it was necessary to avoid disappointing the clubs, partners and fans.
The European League of Football was founded in 2020 by Esume and Karajica. While Esume wants to devote itself to his work as an NFL commentator and his own projects in the future, the conflict within the league remains unsolved.
A group of nine clubs had recently publicly expressed criticism. The so-called club alliance criticizes the lack of transparency in contract designs and calls for changes in the financial distribution. The infrastructure of the league, which has grown since it was founded, is also criticized. If there are no reforms, there is a risk of breaking the league.
The league itself confirmed the resignation of Esumes, but only called his professional obligations as justification. One wanted to take “the necessary time and care” when looking for a successor, it said.
Karajica commented in a message to the departure of his co -founder: “Without Patrick Esume, the eleven would not exist. He is a figurehead and has contributed significantly to the rapid growth and strength of our league.”