Petition against investor plans
Citizens’ movement warns DFL of dramatic consequences
05/13/2023 3:24 p.m
The German Football League is planning an investor and wants to take billions. The citizens’ movement Finanzwende sees nothing good in this, but above all negative consequences for the fans. According to the movement, there is no money without consideration.
The citizens’ movement Finanzwende wants to stop the investor entry sought by the German Football League (DFL) with a petition. “An entry into private equity would change football dramatically – and certainly not for the better,” said Finanzwende Managing Director Daniel Mittler in a statement. The plan to bundle all media rights and to involve international investors in these rights is “dangerous. We call on you to reject it,” the petition says.
The DFL’s plan provides for an investor to acquire 12.5 percent of the Bundesliga’s media marketing for a period of 20 years. This should bring fresh capital of around two billion euros to the league, 85 percent of which should flow into earmarked investments in future fields and to strengthen the stability of the DFL. According to the DFL, the new financiers should have no or only very limited rights of co-determination. On May 24, a general meeting will decide on the plans.
The citizens’ movement fears that the investment will worsen football fans. The lenders are primarily concerned with maximum returns, “at almost any price”. “There is no money without consideration,” said Mittler. Experience from other professional football leagues such as England or Spain would show that: “Once a private equity company is on board, it will be even more important than before to make the greatest possible profits – and not to satisfy the fans.” The entry of private equity firms will result in massive changes.
In other areas of life such as care, healthcare or the real estate market, the effects of private equity investors have already become more than obvious. “In all of these areas, financialization has negative consequences for us, society. That’s why we call on you to take the experiences of other areas of life as a warning, instead of being tempted by a short-term rain of money,” the petition says.