Sponsoring - Wiesenhof recruits at Women's Championships
The Lower Saxony company Wiesenhof is the new partner of the German Women's National Football Team. It will be visible on the advertising bands in the stadium for all home matches until the summer of 2027, the DFB announced in Frankfurt/Main. The poultry company had previously caused a stir as a sponsor of Werder Bremen for the men's Bundesliga team.
Wiesenhof was on Werder's jersey for more than ten years and was the main sponsor of the club until February 2023. At the beginning of the cooperation, Werder fans and Animal Welfare Activists strongly protested against the sponsor and accused the company of animal cruelty. Around 340 members left the club as a result.
Protests from Animal Welfare Activists
"With Wiesenhof, we have gained another strong and established partner for our Women's National Team," said Holger Blask as Chairman of the DFB-Business Management. The company stands for high-quality poultry and plant-based alternative products and pursues a clear sustainability strategy.
In September last year, around 200 to 250 Animal Welfare Activists, according to police estimates, demonstrated at a Wiesenhof slaughterhouse in Königs Wusterhausen, Brandenburg, against large-scale farming and for better animal welfare. At that time, the company stated that more than 97 percent of its own chicken production came from farm level 2 or higher. A significant goal of the company is the expansion of farm level 3. In total, there are four farm levels. The higher the farm level, the better animal welfare.
- Despite the past controversies surrounding Wiesenhof due to animal welfare concerns, they have now secured a sponsoring deal with the DFB for the German Women's National Football Team.
- The sponsorship agreement with the DFB will see Wiesenhof's logo displayed prominently on the advertising bands at all home matches for the women's national team until 2027, as announced in Frankfurt am Main.
- Interestingly, Wiesenhof was previously a sponsor of SV Werder Bremen's men's Bundesliga team, causing serious protests from animal welfare activists and leading to some fans leaving the club.
- The German Men's National Football Team, or DFB's, business management chairman, Holger Blask, praised Wiesenhof as a strong and established partner for the women's team, highlighting their commitment to high-quality poultry and sustainability.
- Animal welfare activists in Germany are not only actively protesting against companies like Wiesenhof but also demonstrated around 200 to 250 strong at a Wiesenhof slaughterhouse in Königs Wusterhausen last September.
- Despite the controversies, Wiesenhof has set clear sustainability goals, with a significant focus on expanding farm level 3, which represents better animal welfare, as part of their overall farm level system.
