Bundesliga: DFL wants to take up to 3 billion with a new investor

Decision planned by summer

The German Football League has set up the first guidelines for the search for a new investor. As the “Picture” reported that AG Zukunft will recommend to the DFL Executive Committee and Supervisory Board next Thursday that they sell 15 percent of a new DFL subsidiary. The national and international TV rights are to be outsourced to this.

This is a minority stake in the TV revenues, but not a sale of shares in the Bundesliga and 2nd division. With a valuation of the Bundesliga with its 36 professional clubs between 17 and 20 billion euros, 2.5 to 3 billion euros should be redeemed. The contract with the new investor, which is intended to guarantee digital and international growth, should be for 25 to 30 years. Seven investors are currently said to be interested in a DFL partnership. A decision should be made by summer. It is still unclear how the new income will be distributed to the 36 clubs, the AG Zukunft is working on several models.

The DFL had previously announced that central guidelines should apply to a possible strategic partnership. For example, no shares in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga are to be sold. Funds are to be generated through a temporary minority stake in license revenue from the exploitation of Bundesliga rights. “The sovereign rights and tasks of the DFL as well as the influence and participation rights of the clubs are fully preserved at all times,” said the DFL statement.

From the point of view of the AG – consisting of Jan-Christian Dreesen (FC Bayern Munich), Rüdiger Fritsch (SV Darmstadt 98) as well as the DFL managing directors Axel Hellmann (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Oliver Leki (Sport-Club Freiburg) – it requires investments in sustainable Growth to develop the league and clubs while respecting the 50+1 rule. At the same time, efforts to tighten regulations on the international football market must be accelerated.

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