Overview
- At their first members’ meeting, the FBL e.V. rejected the jointly negotiated JV/GmbH with the DFB, with 13 of 14 top-flight clubs backing the move.
- The DFB said it regrets the decision, remains open to talks, and plans to keep operating the league for now while standing by a roughly €100 million investment pledge.
- Key sticking points included who appoints the executive leadership, voting majorities, and the ligaverband’s seat, according to officials and reporting.
- The shelved venture was slated to take over core responsibilities such as marketing and youth development from July 1, leaving the timeline for reforms uncertain.
- The new ligaverband will seek alternative partnership models with the DFB as clubs push for faster professionalisation to keep pace internationally ahead of Euro 2029 in Germany.