Wilfried Straub

• DFL Ehrenangehöriger (Honorary Member)
• Former Chairman of the Management Board of DFL GmbH
• Former DFB Vice President

Wilfried Straub, born in Egelsbach-Bayerseich in southern Hesse in 1939, was elected as an Ehrenangehöriger (Honorary Member) of the DFL in 2005. After the establishment of DFL GmbH, he became its first CEO in 2001, handing over the reins to Christian Seifert in 2005. Previously, Wilfried Straub had dealt with issues relating to the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 at the German Football Association (DFB) since 1968, first as head of department and league secretary, and from 1991 as Executive Vice President of League Marketing/Economy/Finance, with responsibilities including TV contracts. He was heavily involved in the process of independence for German professional football, which was completed at the end of 2000 with the creation of the former Ligaverband (now DFL e.V.).

As DFL CEO and the representative of professional football, Wilfried Straub was also Vice President of the DFB, which made him an Honorary Member in recognition of his achievements. He served as a trustee of the DFL Foundation. He was a greatly respected figure worldwide. In 2006, he was given the Honorary Presidential Award by then UEFA president Lennart Johansson. Wilfried Straub passed away on 2 May 2016 aged 77.

_{Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Arne Dedert}