‘Future Scenarios Working Group’ agrees on guiding principles for strategic development

3 February 2023 – The ‘Future Scenarios Working Group’ appointed by the Executive Committee of DFL e.V. has agreed upon key guiding principles for the further development of German professional football and a possible strategic partnership at league level. As a next step, the Executive Committee of DFL e.V. and the Supervisory Board of DFL GmbH will consider a corresponding overall concept from the working group. If the league bodies follow this proposed concept, the management team, bodies and the working group will approach the further elaboration of the tendering process on this basis and, as part of this, involve all clubs from the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 extensively.

The proposal from the working group comes on the back of a highly intensive and constructive exchange with a number of in-depth discussions – always based on the premise of developing a proposal that is the most beneficial for all 36 professional clubs. From the perspective of the working group – consisting of Jan-Christian Dreesen (FC Bayern München), Rüdiger Fritsch (SV Darmstadt 98) and DFL CEOs Axel Hellmann (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Oliver Leki (Sport-Club Freiburg) – investment in sustainable growth is required that will enable the league and clubs to develop further while preserving the 50+1 rule. At the same time, it is necessary to push for stricter regulations in the international football market. As a result, the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 should remain top leagues characterised by exciting sporting competition, and should continue to be firmly anchored in society.

The working group also stated that key guiding principles should apply to a possible strategic partnership. These include the fact that any potential partnership will not involve selling shares in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 but rather a time-limited minority interest in licensing revenue from the sale of Bundesliga rights. Sovereign rights and functions of the DFL, as well as the influence and rights of participation of the clubs, will be fully maintained at all times.