DFL and Liga MX sign Memorandum of Understanding to further strengthen partnership between professional football in Germany and Mexico
6 May 2022 – The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, organising body of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Liga MX, the professional sector of Federación Mexicana De Fútbol Asociación A.C. (FMF). The aim is for both sides to further intensify and strengthen their collaboration, through joint initiatives and regularly sharing expertise across the fields of sports, business and marketing. President of Liga MX Mikel Arriola recently met with DFL CEO Donata Hopfen at the DFL headquarters in Frankfurt to sign the partnership agreement.
Working with representatives from the Liga MX will not only help us to better understand each other’s perspectives, but also open up future avenues for mutual growth at league and club level.
Donata Hopfen, DFL CEO
The MoU covers several areas of collaboration: initiatives and exchanges around technical and sporting structures with a strong focus on youth development include performance analysis, player recruitment and development, local sporting programmes, as well as research and implementation on the latest sports technology and innovation. Off the field subjects in the context of league and club management include governance, media, business, club licensing, marketing and fan engagement.
DFL CEO Donata Hopfen said: “The DFL has long been committed to the growth and development of football, both in Germany and around the world. Cooperations in selected markets are therefore important to us; to explore common areas of interest and create mutual benefits in a sustainable fashion. Working with representatives from the Liga MX will not only help us to better understand each other’s perspectives, but also open up future avenues for mutual growth at league and club level. I am sure that, over the next few years, both leagues will gain a great deal from this partnership.”
President of Liga MX Mikel Arriola said: “Reaching this agreement is a big step in LIGA MX’s internationalization plan, which looks beyond Mexico and the United States, always prioritizing professionalization, sports development, innovation, the improvement of administrative structures and particularly the development of young players, who through agreements like the one we are signing today can have the opportunity to train in other countries and display the quality of Mexican football players.”
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will, as already announced by the club in April, become the first Bundesliga club to travel to Mexico following the signing of the MoU. After the conclusion of the current 2021-22 season, Leverkusen’s men’s team will play a friendly against Deportivo Toluca, while the women’s team will take on Club América in July. Besides the matches, the teams will also take part in fan, media and community events. Representatives from all three clubs, as well as from Bayer Mexico, were also present at the MoU signing. This follows Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s recent announcement of a partnership with both Mexican clubs, which includes a number of actions to mark the 100th anniversary of Bayer Mexico.