Over the past several months, the league’s 14 clubs had been in discussions with the DFB about forming a joint company aimed at accelerating the development of the Women’s Bundesliga. The proposed joint venture was intended to strengthen areas such as marketing, commercialization, and infrastructure through closer cooperation between the clubs and the national federation.

Clubs Cite Unmet Framework Conditions

However, following internal deliberations, the clubs concluded that the framework conditions presented could not be fulfilled. In a statement released on Thursday, the Women’s Bundesliga confirmed that the proposed structure did not meet the requirements set out by the clubs.

Katharina Kiel: “The Future Must Be Shaped by the Clubs”

Katharina Kiel, president of FBL e. V. and director at Eintracht Frankfurt, emphasized the clubs’ position in a press release issued in Frankfurt. She stated that the future of the Women’s Bundesliga must be shaped where the league’s sporting and economic responsibility lies — with the clubs themselves. According to Kiel, the clubs carry the greatest investment and implementation responsibility and therefore require clear competencies, strong decision-making authority, and governance structures designed to accelerate growth and improve competitiveness.

Despite the rejection of the joint venture, both sides highlighted that the discussions were constructive. Kiel noted that the process helped clarify key questions and positions, adding that this clarity would be taken into further talks with the DFB.

€100 Million Investment Plan Remains in Place

The DFB expressed regret over the decision that the Women’s Bundesliga will not, for now, be organized under a joint venture structure. At the same time, the federation reaffirmed its willingness to continue discussions with FBL e. V. and the clubs regarding the further professionalization of the league.

The DFB also underlined its broader commitment to women’s football, confirming plans to invest €100 million in the development of women’s and girls’ football in the coming years. The association stressed that ongoing progress is essential in light of the rapid international development of the women’s game.

While no agreement has been reached at this stage, both the Women’s Bundesliga and the DFB have made clear that dialogue will continue as discussions about the league’s long-term structure and growth move forward.

This article was created with the assistance of AI and has been reviewed and edited by our editorial team.