The German Football League (DFL) can borrow up to 100 million euros from Adidas. The sporting goods manufacturer provides the league association with a corresponding loan facility for this purpose. According to the DFL, the Presidium unanimously approved an agreement on this. In order for the money to flow, the general meeting must agree.
It is also agreed that Adidas will provide the official match ball for German professional football until at least 2034. The contract, which was originally concluded from the 2026/27 season to 2029/30, will be extended early by four years, according to a statement.
If the loan is taken out, the money should be used for media marketing measures. The plan to raise money through an investor process had previously failed several times – mainly due to resistance from fans. Adidas’ money would not go to individual clubs.
The income from licensing the match ball can be used to repay the loan. “The financing model offers an important option to invest in the growth of the federal leagues in dynamic economic times,” said league president Hans-Joachim Watzke. Bjørn Gulden, CEO of Adidas AG, described the agreement as a “new dimension”.