Bundesliga news: Outside investor model fails to earn approval at Frankfurt summit
- Heinrich Griessel
- 25 May 2023
A new investor model proposed for German football was rejected in Frankfurt.
In Frankfurt, a significant development concerning the future of German football unfolded as a proposed investor model was voted down.
The model was backed by influential figures from larger Bundesliga clubs.
The plan involved the establishment of a spinoff licensing company with the aim of attracting external funds to German football.
However, during a DFL meeting, the project failed to secure the required two-thirds majority for implementation.
Out of the 36 operational clubs in Germany's top two football divisions, only 20 voted in favor, while 11 opposed, and 5 abstained.
VfL Bochum, a club known to be against the change, requested a secret ballot.
The prominent supporter of the model, Hans-Joachim Watzke, faced strong opposition from 1. FC Koln's CEO Christian Keller, who pledged to use his influence to block the project.
It remains unknown if Watzke and his supporters will attempt to reformulate a similar proposal in the future.
The proposed plan involved a portion of the DFL being spun off to allow an investment company to acquire a 12.5 percent stake.
Watzke had promised a potential investment of up to €2 billion from an undisclosed investor, with multinational firms like Advent, Blackstone, and CVC reportedly being considered.
