Mark A. H.’s Post

🚀 Historic Move: Bundesliga Clubs Overwhelmingly Approve Investor Deal! Breaking ground in the realm of German football! An overwhelming majority of Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga teams—24 out of 36—have given the green light for the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) to initiate negotiations for a transformative investor deal. This monumental decision marks a pivotal moment that could reshape the trajectory of one of Europe's premier football leagues. ⚽💼 Originally contemplating the establishment of DFL MediaCo GmbH & Co. KGaA—a dedicated entity overseeing international media and commercial rights—the league has shown resilience and adaptability in its strategy. In its revised approach, the Bundesliga aims to sell a strategic 8% stake in licensing revenue, projecting an anticipated windfall of €900 million ($1 billion). These funds are not just earmarked but strategically allocated for comprehensive league development, bolstering team infrastructure, and providing individual clubs with unprecedented financial flexibility. The significance of this move extends beyond financial considerations; it's about fortifying the Bundesliga's position on the global football stage. As negotiations unfold, we anticipate a new era for German football—one marked by innovation, sustainability, and heightened competitiveness. Stay tuned as we witness the Bundesliga embark on this exciting journey, illustrating that the footballing landscape is ever-evolving, and the Bundesliga is poised to lead the charge! 🌟⚽ 📷: Tobias Rehbein #Bundesliga #FootballEvolution #InvestmentDeal 

🚀 Exciting News in German Football! ⚽ Is German football's unique "50+1 rule" era coming to an end? Big moves on the horizon as 24 out of the top 36 German football clubs have voted in favor of exploring strategic partnerships with private equity investors. This groundbreaking decision opens doors for a new era in Bundesliga, showcasing a willingness to invest in the future of the sport. Key Points: ✅ Two-thirds majority achieved with a narrow one-vote margin. ✅ Private equity investment in exchange for a share of TV rights over the next two decades. ✅ DFL subsidiary to sell 6-9% of shares for €800 million to €1 billion. ✅ Focus on developing the business model and enhancing international marketing, including a streaming platform. Challenges: 👥 Fan protests signal concerns about potential loss of club autonomy. 🔗 Tension around preserving the 50+1 rule to maintain fan influence in major decisions. 🚨 Critics worry about the possibility of indirect investor influence, despite promises of "red lines." Despite divided opinions, this move signals German football's readiness to embrace change and innovation. As the Bundesliga seeks to evolve its business model, it opens up opportunities for private investments to be part of the future transformative journey. #SportsBusiness #Bundesliga #FootballInnovation #InvestmentOpportunity #TransformationInSports #DFL #BundesligaClubs #FutureOfFootball

Last night's 1-0 loss of the U.S. Men's National Team to a trialist team from Slovenia exposes critical concerns about American soccer. Media, constrained by fear, avoids honestly addressing the severity of the situation, compromising journalism's integrity. The defeat highlights issues in international competitiveness, with Gregg Berhalter's reappointment making the team appear lackluster, sacrificing the national team to spotlight U.S Soccer deficiencies. Also, the lackluster performance unfolded before a disappointingly sparse crowd of under 10,000 fans, underscoring diminishing interest and disillusionment among soccer supporters. The competitive disconnect between the U.S. Soccer Federation and the sport exacerbates the problem, reflecting a profound crisis rather than a mere setback. A thorough reevaluation of the sports exclusive franchise model and a ruthless reassessment of the USMNT's direction are urgently needed to avoid further tarnishing American soccer's global reputation.

Founders and start-ups can learn a lot from sports! You don’t have to support my football team, VfL Bochum, nor do you have to be a football/soccer fan or a sport fan in general. But if you are a founder, and you are going through one of those downs because another investor has said “no” or a prospect does not want to buy what you offer, sports can give you inspiration and motivation to keep pushing. My football team played in the playoffs for the 1. Bundesliga last night - a two-leg battle. They lost the first leg at home on Thursday with 0:3. Basically everyone has written them off. And on Monday, only 4 days later, they equalised the match by winning 3:0 away, and then proceeded to win the penalty shootout after a total of 14 penalties. The greatest comeback in German playoff history. Of course you need luck in sports, in life and as a founder, but luck is something you can earn in my view. The base are willpower, confidence and grit. So if you feel down again, keep going! Call the next investor, the next client - as long as you’re still standing, you can succeed. It only needs one goal, one “yes” to change the momentum in your favour. And if you need an example, watch last night’s game or hit me up and I will give you a summary (full of emotions) ;) And remember: NEVER.GIVE.UP! #grit #willpower #NeverGiveUp VfL Bochum 1848 GmbH & Co. KGaA Picture source: kicker app

🌐 Bundesliga Update: Snowfall and Financial Triumph! ❄️ Recent heavy snowfall in Munich led to impossibility of transport travelling and to the postponement of the Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin clash. Bayern’s CEO emphasizes fan safety, underlining the significance of matchday experience and revenue for Bayern Munich's financial structure. 🏟️💰 💸 Deloitte Football Money League 2023 reported that Bayern Munich shines as one of the world's richest clubs with a total revenue of €653.6m. A 7% increase from the previous year reveals the club's financial prowess. Here's a breakdown of the revenue streams: 💼 Commercial Revenue: €378m (58%) - 2nd only to PSG. 📡 Broadcast Revenue: €207m (32%) 🎟️ Matchday Revenue: €68m (10%) - Underscoring the impact of matchday events. 💰 Total Revenue Growth: UP 7% from the previous year. ⚖️ With a robust wage-to-revenue ratio at 53%, Bayern Munich showcases financial stability, outperforming rivals like Madrid. The club also marked a historic moment with the women's team generating €1.7m, a significant step as Deloitte tracks women's team revenue separately. 🚀 Bundesliga pride continues with Borussia Dortmund in the top 20, while Eintracht Frankfurt secures 22nd place after their Europa League triumph. The financial game is strong in the Bundesliga! ⚽💪   📷: Saurav Rastogi #BayernMunich #FootballFinance #MatchdayRevenue

Hans-Joachim Watzke: The architect behind Borussia Dortmund's remarkable journey Discover how Hans-Joachim Watzke transformed Borussia Dortmund from the brink of bankruptcy to a footballing powerhouse, epitomizing resilience and strategic genius in the world of sports. 1: What were the pivotal moments under Watzke's leadership at Dortmund? Hans-Joachim Watzke's tenure at Dortmund is marked by critical milestones, notably rescuing the club from near bankruptcy in 2005 and leading them to Bundesliga glory by 2011. His era also saw Dortmund win multiple domestic titles and reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2013. 2: How did Watzke maintain Dortmund's authenticity in an evolving football landscape? Balancing commercial success with the club's traditional values, Watzke ensured Dortmund stayed true to football’s origins. They prioritized affordable ticket prices, sustainable financial practices, and a strong connection with the community, all while competing at the highest level. 3: What challenges did Watzke face with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga? Despite their successes, Dortmund consistently found themselves in the shadow of FC Bayern München's financial and footballing might. Watzke navigated this rivalry by focusing on smart investments and nurturing talent, though Bayern's dominance remained a significant challenge. 4: What legacy does Watzke leave behind, and what's next for him? Watzke leaves a legacy of financial stability, sporting success, and a deep connection with fans. Post-retirement, he is poised to influence German football on a global scale, with roles in the DFB, DFL, and UEFA, potentially following in the footsteps of football greats like Franz Beckenbauer. 💡 Learn More: For a deeper dive into Hans-Joachim Watzke’s transformative impact on Borussia Dortmund and his potential future influence in world football, explore the comprehensive analysis of his journey. Understand how his strategic vision and dedication redefined a football club and left an indelible mark on the sport. #SportsBusiness #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Intelligence

Hard Work or Luck? As the season comes to an end, one important question is echoing: was it luck or hard work that led Bayern Leverkusen to their remarkable season? Let's take a look into the story and analyse some data. Undefeated throughout the season, Bayern Leverkusen has showed a great amount of resilience, turning every challenge into an opportunity for victory. Their unbeaten streak is a testament to their unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence. Winning the Bundesliga title after a long time, Bayern Leverkusen caught the world's attention over the past months. But their journey doesn't end there. As finalists in both the German Cup and Europa League, they stand on the brink of glory, ready to make history. What sets Bayern Leverkusen apart is their refusal to concede defeat, their ability fight for the positive result until the end. A key architect of their success is Coach Xabi, whose meticulous planning and unwavering belief have forged a team of unparalleled consistency. His masterstroke lies in making the team a cohesive unit, ensuring that every player plays their part, from the first whistle to the last. In the image below, we see the essence of Bayern Leverkusen's success: unity in motion. Notice how the players converge, supporting each other with precise passes during the crucial stages of the Europa League semi-final against Rome. It's visible the hard training behind all the results. Luck may play a part in success, but for Bayern Leverkusen, it's their relentless hard work and determination that have led them to greatness. #dataanalysis #datadriven #footballanalysis #wyscout

LinkedInSports 30-Day Challenge: Day #14: Discuss a recent moment, event or development in the sports industry & its implications 1. FC Union Berlin going into the UEFA Champions League Next Wednesday, the club which was for a long long time the second, maybe third, even 4th choice for a trivia game in which the question would be: “Name me a football team from Berlin?” will make their debut in the biggest club competition in the world. In February 2019 I was lucky enough to watch them play a home game in the second division of Germany. Nobody was talking about promotion, but at the end of that season they’ve managed to go up after a play-off game. First time ever in the Bundesliga! The end of the pandemic season found them in the safe zone. The next one in the Conference League spots. 2021/22 they’ve checked Europa League qualifications. And finally, last season they won the big pot. A 5 years plan executed in the most perfect way. No big sponsor, no eccentric owner, no oil money or soft drink wings. Just pure execution of an entity that knows how to deal with football. Here you can find a nice small documentary about the club -> https://lnkd.in/dzvnyXa3 Here a podcast with one of the people involved in the club -> https://lnkd.in/dwuaKGdB Next Wednesday, Union will debut in the UEFA Champions League. And they will do it in style, playing in Madrid against Real. The underdog story we all love to see. #linkedinsportschallenge #linkedinsports #sportsbusiness #sportsindustry

The time is NOW! The final chapter of the United States of Soccer report is all about the 2026 World Cup, and how fans (and brands) are already making moves for it in the soccer space. All that and more in the full report ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g-4DSSDs