Dortmund's Football Team - Arrangement generates buzz: Rheinmetall becomes backer of BVB
Just before the Champions League final, a controversy arose over Borussia Dortmund's sponsorship deal with Rheinmetall, an arms manufacturer. The deal will last for the next three years. According to unconfirmed sources, the financial amount involved is in the seven-digit euro range.
Rheinmetall's spokesperson remained silent on the financial aspect, but Handelsblatt reported that it's a yearly seven-digit sum. The partnership encompasses the use of prime advertising spaces, marketing rights, and event and hospitality privileges at the stadium and within the club grounds. Rheinmetall is set to be the "Champion Partner" of BVB, the club's most significant financial sponsor.
BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke defended the partnership, stating that security and defense are essential components of democracy. He added: "We believe that it's the right decision to be deeply involved in how we protect these pillars." Watzke also mentioned that they're "openly inviting a discourse" about the partnership. Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, claiming that the two entities share similar objectives, perspectives, and origins.
However, this discourse could potentially divert attention from the Champions League final against Real Madrid, which is taking place on Saturday. BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl appealed for concentration on the match, stating, "There's just one topic now, and that's this game."
The fan and support division of Borussia expressed concerns about the partnership, questioning its compatibility with BVB's values. The fan representatives had voiced their concerns previously regarding the deal's communication and its suitability for the club.
Other football clubs, like FC Augsburg, have had partnerships with defense companies. The Renk GmbH, a tank transmission manufacturer, has been an FC Augsburg supplier since September 2023.
The German Association of Security and Defense Industries (BDSV) welcomed the move. BDSV managing director Hans Christoph Atzpodien explained: "Sponsorship is a means of communicating to a wide audience that weapons to preserve our security and peace are not 'unsavory,' but simply part of our societal reality if we want to live in peace and freedom."
Federal Economics Minister, the Green politician Robert Habeck, also commented on the partnership, arguing that it displays the changing times. "The fact that Rheinmetall is now sponsoring a football club is indeed unconventional, but it signals where we currently stand," said Habeck. He emphasized that paying attention to Rheinmetall's production of ammunity to aid Ukraine is vital.
In relation to the deal, the federal ministry responsible for sports decided not to comment. A ministry spokesperson stated: "We don't comment on sponsorship deals of sports clubs."
In contrast, North Rhine-Westphalia State spokesman Sascha Wagner from the Left Party harshly condemned the connection: "This is a terrible piece of misconduct." He asserts that Rheinmetall relies on "the business of death." Mona Neubaur, North Rhine-Westphalia's Economics Minister and a Green politician, responded to a request from the German Press Agency: "The public perception of the company has changed in the last two years - personally for me too." She noted that companies like Rheinmetall are necessary to safeguard our democracy and freedom, but acknowledged the differing reactions the sponsorship is generating.
Meanwhile, fans, pacifists, and other societal groups expressed their criticism. A petition to have the sponsorship deal voided was created. The German Peace Society - United Peace Activists, for instance, stated that an arms manufacturer as a sponsor contradicts the values upheld by BVB. On "X" (formerly Twitter), many users express disapproval. The satire party Die Partei also tweeted a photo montage of a tank on a football field, adding: "BVB - we don't just score goals." The Evangelical Church also raised concerns.
Rheinmetall's previous involvement in sports sponsorship includes supporting the handball club Bergischer HC from Solingen, which is close to Düsseldorf. But with BVB, the level of sports sponsorship has escalated.
Watzke's invitation for a "discourse" could be problematic at this time, as it might divert attention from the Champions League final. Dortmund's sports director, Sebastian Kehl, urged focus on the football match, saying, "I'd prefer if we centered on this game."
Germany's top weapons manufacturer, Rheinmetall, is thriving with its 30,000 staff members. Following Russia's assault on Ukraine, the need for bullets, tanks, and anti-aircraft cannons has surged tremendously. Since January 2022, the order queue has grown by about 10 billion euros to 24 billion euros. The revenue is predicted to hit 10 billion euros this year, which is nearly twice what it was in 2021 (5.7 billion euros) prior to the Ukraine conflict. The stock market price has skyrocketed more than five times since February 2022. Rheinmetall plays a crucial role in maintaining Ukraine's defense – the company delivers military hardware in large quantities and is compensated by the government.
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