Founder: “Didn’t want that”
Baller League defends itself against anger from amateur clubs
February 28, 2024, 7:47 p.m
The Baller League wants to usher in a “new era in football”. But she has one problem: it doesn’t really suit representatives of the old era. Players who play in the influencer league are kicked out of their amateur clubs. Now the founder speaks out.
The makers of the Baller League have rejected the sometimes strong criticism from several amateur football clubs, but are trying to hold talks. “We want the Baller League players to continue playing in the club – that’s one of the reasons why we are in contact with everyone and are happy to help,” said founder Felix Starck: “The Baller League has always said that we are happy to coexist with the clubs. “
The Baller League, at least that’s what it says on its own website, is intended to usher in a “new era for football”. The league’s focus is on the “new old football”: “Unpredictable, real and technical football – without politics. Without tactics,” they say. It is the project of two Rio world champions: Lukas Podolski and Mats Hummels. It should be a game for all football fans, “but also for everyone who hasn’t been yet.” At the center is the so-called football pitch mentality.
To achieve this, the two football stars have brought numerous prominent people on board who are also known outside the influencer world. These include Kevin-Prince Boateng, Felix Lobrecht, national player Jule Brand and Max Kruse, who was recently severely trimmed by former national coach Joachim Löw. The familiar faces manage different teams. They have selected their players in advance using the draft system, and they then play against each other every Monday: six against six, twice for 15 minutes. This happens in the Motorworld in Cologne, where Formula 1 cars used to be. Loud “Taz” There are several hundred fans in the hall itself, and there are said to be almost a million in front of the screens at home on a match day.
“Funfair league is destroying other leagues”
There’s just one problem with the whole thing. In old-fashioned football, not everyone likes the project. Several amateur clubs from the Cologne area recently gave their players a choice: Baller League or the club. At fifth division club FV Bonn-Endenich, which is in a relegation battle, five players were released as a result.
And the club is not alone. There were also problems with league rivals Siegburger SV. This was the first club “that was against it,” said the sports director, Mehmet Dogan “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”. He also lost two players to the influencer league. Many people thought that they could actually become professionals through the Baller League. “Everything surrounding it is Bundesliga, but the football is at state league level,” he is quoted as saying: “It’s a completely normal indoor kick.”
The large presence on social media attracts footballers. This disrupts operations in amateur football. “This fair league is destroying the other leagues,” Dogan continued. Anyone who signs with Siegburg agrees that they cannot enter into a second contract. “Some players don’t get it, they want to play in both leagues.” He doesn’t support that.
At the Baller League you see things differently. Founder Starck has little understanding for the layoffs. “From a labor law perspective, it is questionable to ban players from playing football in their free time,” he said. “On the other hand, it is important to emphasize that no one should be accused of misconduct here and these examples show how serious our league is is taken and at what high level it is played. We as the Baller League proactively approached the clubs. I didn’t want a club to give an ultimatum.”