Soccer - Leverkusen sports boss: Bundesliga has long had investors
Head of sport Simon Rolfes from Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen would like to see a more objective approach to investors in soccer. The term "investor" is "generally very negative in Germany", said Rolfes (41) in an interview with "Sportbuzzer" (Sunday): "People fear that real soccer will be lost because the investor takes over the whole thing. But that's complete nonsense, of course." The reality is "that there have long been investors, small shareholders or even shareholders in the Bundesliga. And I don't just mean Bayer 04 Leverkusen."
The former professional does not believe that fans will be lost as a result of new investors joining the club. "Despite all the ties to tradition, the reality is that you can't get anywhere with just air and love," said Rolfes: "I am convinced that many of the fans are aware of the need for internationalization and financial cooperation."
The question is also what quality is wanted for the Bundesliga in international comparison. "My feeling is that the fans want us to be internationally competitive and occasionally win a game in the Champions League and Europa League," said Rolfes. It's not just about not losing touch with the English Premier League. "Others aren't sleeping either, there are also multi-club ownership models in La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A, for example," said Rolfes: "It's like the free labor market, and in the end the players also orient themselves towards the leagues where they earn the most money."
At the general meeting on Monday, the German Football League (DFL) received a mandate from the professional clubs to enter into concrete negotiations with a strategic marketing partner. A financial investor is to pay up to one billion euros for a percentage share of the TV revenue. The contract is to have a maximum term of 20 years. This agreement has met with disapproval from many club supporters.
Rolfes interview
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- Simon Rolfes, the sports director of Bayer Leverkusen, a team based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, believes that investors in soccer should be viewed more objectively.
- Rolfes highlighted that the negative connotation of 'investor' is prevalent in Germany, leading people to fear that real soccer will be lost if an investor takes control.
- Contrary to popular belief, Rolfes pointed out that there have been investors, small shareholders, and even shareholders in the Bundesliga for a long time, not just in Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
- Rolfes asserted that fans' concern about investors taking over is unnecessary, as the need for internationalization and financial cooperation is essential for the success of Bundesliga teams.
- The German Football League (DFL) received approval from professional clubs to negotiate with a strategic marketing partner, with a financial investor potentially paying up to one billion euros for a share of TV revenue.
- This agreement, which could last up to 20 years, has elicited disapproval from several club supporters in Germany.
Source: www.stern.de
