The German Football League has a thankless task: At its meeting, the 36 professional clubs have to decide how and when the Bundesliga will continue. Nobody knows how the coronavirus pandemic will develop.
The depressing result of the video conference is already certain before the start, but a signal of hope should nevertheless be sent to the suffering football republic. Because although the Presidium of the German Football League (DFL) has to propose the long-term extension of the season break beyond April 2, the encouragement for the clubs in the struggle for existence will be in the foreground: the date for the planned restart in the Bundesliga and the 2nd division despite the corona pandemic – data are traded from late April to late May.
If the nine-member presidium led by spokesman Christian Seifert follows the example of the English Premier League, April 30 could be named. For the time being, however, this would not be more than a declaration of intent, which the club heads would have to approve at their next crisis meeting at the beginning of next week. The dynamic development of the past few weeks has shown that decisions can be waste just hours later. Looking ahead, everything depends on whether the “ghost games” declared by Seifert as the last resort can be carried out by the teams despite the public requirements and illnesses.
The top of the German Football Association (DFB) continues to hope for games in camera. Otherwise, Vice President Rainer Koch sees the “viability of all professional football” at risk. According to Managing Director Klaus Filbry from Werder Bremen, Seifert is already in talks with the largest media rights owner Sky, “in order to run through different scenarios” with regard to possible game day arrangements.
Income loss of up to 770 million euros
Christian Seifert cannot look into the future either.
(Photo: imago images / Contrast)
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Despite these business games, it has not been hidden from those responsible that numerous experts from the healthcare sector no longer consider it realistic to play games in any form in the coming months. Looking at this scenario, the decision to postpone the final round of the European Championship into the coming year would be of little use.
If, in spite of the deadline, there was an end to the season by June 30 or even beyond, resulting in a loss of revenue of around 770 million euros, professional football in its previous form would be on the verge. “The horror scenarios for some clubs will lead to bankruptcy and bankruptcy,” said sports marketing expert Karsten Petry: “If it remains in principle that all contractual obligations have to be fulfilled, then some clubs will be the end of the season – whenever that happens is – don’t survive. “
The forecasts about the number of possible bankruptcies as a result of the non-existent income (media money, viewers, sponsoring) fluctuate. However, it does not appear unrealistic that it could actually hit a third of the Bundesliga teams and half of the second division teams. “First of all, we have to get an overview of who can hold out without games for how long,” said Seifert recently. This should be clear at the meeting next week.
Is there a solidarity fund coming?
Now it is about what can be countered by the impending bankruptcy wave. The waiver of part of the salaries of professionals and managers, as is already practiced in some clubs, seems inevitable. A solidarity fund, with which the financially strong clubs are helping the weaker, seems more and more likely.
The DFL Presidium also has to think about whether the ongoing award of media rights for the seasons from 2021/22 to 2024/25 should actually continue. Given the economic problems of potential buyers, professional football could earn far less than hoped. That would be the next low blow for the clubs.
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