Before the upcoming decision on investor entry into the German Football League in the second attempt, Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director Fernando Carro sees potential for conflict between the clubs in the Bundesliga and the 2nd division.
You have to be careful not to get into a situation in which the second division dictates what the DFL should do, said the 59-year-old Spaniard in an interview with the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. “If in the end 13 to 15 first division clubs are in favor and the strategic partnership fails because of the second division, we have to accept that, but then we have to think seriously about the future governance of the DFL,” explained Carro.
A decision on a possible strategic marketing partnership will be made at the DFL general meeting on December 11th. Fans have recently taken a stand against this in numerous Bundesliga and second division stadiums. Bundesliga clubs such as SC Freiburg and 1. FC Köln have also already signaled their rejection. Similar plans had already failed on May 24th. A corresponding motion did not receive the required two-thirds majority.
The new partner is to pay one billion euros for a percentage share of the TV revenue. The contract should have a maximum term of 20 years and be signed by the start of the 2024/25 season. A large part of the income will flow into the further development of the DFL business model and, above all, strengthen foreign marketing.
Carro emphasized that he also wanted to stick to the merger of the 36 clubs from both leagues. “But if interests diverge like this and we put our global position even further at risk – then we have to look each other in the eye and ask: Can things continue together in this form?” said the managing director of the undefeated Bundesliga leaders.
