The thought behind it is understandable, because every game should have a sporting value and thus attract interest. However, according to Ketelaer: “I don’t think that more viewers are coming or sitting in front of the TV, that pay-TV is gaining more subscribers.”
A more exciting title fight is also ruled out because series champions Red Bull Salzburg “now stands above things. I don’t think that – whatever someone comes up with – will be different in the next few years.” That, according to Ketelaer, should also apply analogously to Germany and FC Bayern.
Entrepreneur recommends Germany reform process
Pieter Nieuwenhuis, on the other hand, recommends that the DFL at least start a discussion process. This suggestion is part of his business model, as Nieuwenhuis is director of the Dutch company “Hypercube”, which develops and implements models together with associations.
The company was involved in the Swiss model and is also involved in Belgium, as well as in Danish, Romanian and Bulgarian football.
Open-ended investigation with everyone involved
“A solution makes enemies, a process friends”, says Nieuwenhuis in an interview with the sports show. Therefore, all so-called stakeholders must be involved from the start: above all clubs, sponsors, fans, owners and potential buyers of media rights. The investigation must be completely open-ended. In other words, it is not about reform for the sake of reform. If it turns out that a Bundesliga with 18 teams playing “everyone against everyone” in two legs is the best, then it will stay that way.
Then it would still be the case that there are games like Eintracht Frankfurt against Borussia Mönchengladbach on the 33rd matchday. If the Bundesliga were divided into championship and relegation rounds after the season and the points were even halved, the game on Sunday would be quite explosive.