Dietmar Hopp relinquishes majority control of Hoffenheim, German football league plan billion (s) Euro marketing deal, and FC Bayern crackdown against indiscipline.
Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga will revert to a 50 +1 club as majority shares owner, Dietmar Hopp, has relinquished control. Hoffenheim confirmed the surprise move this week.
The contentious issue of 50+1 exceptions in the Bundesliga continues to polarize fans. The 50+1 rule states that commercial investors limited to a 49% stake in a Bundesliga club. However, Hopp got a waiver after investing for over twenty years in Hoffenheim.
Under the new constellation, majority voting rights belong to the parent club.
German football league plan billion (s) Euro marketing deal
The German football league (DFL) plans 15% marketing rights sale of the Bundesliga to an investor. They speculated it to be around three billion Euro.
The deal can only come to fruition if 24 of the 36 Bundesliga clubs agree to the DFL plan.
There are still some unanswered questions like what happens to 50+1 rule, and the game schedule plan. St. Pauli’s president, Oke Goettlich, thinks an investor might press for changes in the Bundesliga that could lead to fragmentation of game plan.
FC Bayern crackdown against indiscipline
One would expect FC Bayern players to exercise professionalism in their conduct as role models. Unfortunately, it’s not the case. The club has instituted a penalty catalog against indiscipline. It is a measure approved by Bayern to sensitize the players to the title battle.
Leroy Sane missed the team bus in the away game against Gladbach, Benjamin Pavard had alcohol in blood during police control recently, Manuel Neuer gave an interview against the sacking of former goalkeeper coach, Toni Tapalović that ruffled the feathers of Bayern management amongst others.
The penalty for tardiness will cost from €1000 to €3000 and the proceeds donated to charity.
