15 million deficit
The DFB’s grave of millions is right in front of the door
September 28, 2023, 7:24 a.m
The financial situation at the DFB remains tense. The association is looking for savings options. There is a high cost factor in Frankfurt am Main. A new contract should now provide relief for the association.
The German Football Association is currently expecting a deficit of 15 million euros in the planned sales revenue and planned expenses for the DFB campus in Frankfurt am Main for the coming year. DFB treasurer Stephan Grunwald said this before the association’s extraordinary Bundestag this Friday. The general assembly will confirm the new basic contract with the German Football League, which guarantees the DFB more money until 2029.
“The new basic agreement ensures the financial stability of the DFB and the regional and state associations,” said Grunwald. “The funds can be used to finance important measures and projects in amateur football.” The DFL will pay the DFB between 34.5 and 39 million euros per season instead of the previous 26 million euros. In return, the DFB will only pay 12.5 million euros instead of the previous 20 million in order to be able to advertise with the clubs’ national players.
“Saving potential” is analyzed
The financial situation at the DFB has been tense for months. In the most recent financial report for 2021, the association recorded a loss of 33.5 million euros due to necessary tax provisions; in the past few weeks, measures to reduce the existing structural deficit to the current 4.5 million euros were decided.
The DFB did not specifically state to what extent the measures would mean job cuts. “We are in the process of coordinating further measures to reduce the structural deficit and will take these into account in the budget for 2024,” said Grunwald. “Basically, we analyze savings potential at the level of project, material and personnel expenses.”
The DFB campus, which combines the administration and the sporting area with, among other things, several training pitches, was ceremoniously opened in June 2022. The construction subsequently cost 30 million euros more than the final estimated 150 million euros. The association once started its initial planning with a significantly lower sum.