Our time is now: Frauen Bundesliga clubs take control and ditch DFB

December 9 – Germany’s 14 Frauen Bundesliga clubs have taken the bold step of breaking away from the German Football Association (DFB), confirming they will establish a new league organisation without the federation’s involvement after negotiations between them collapsed.

The move comes just months after the DFB’s Bundestag approved plans for a jointly owned Frauen Bundesliga company, with clubs and the federation set to hold equal 50% stakes. The clubs had collectively committed more than €700 million to the project, while the DFB pledged €100 million over eight years to support the league’s commercialisation and professionalisation.

But club executives say the DFB introduced last-minute conditions that undermined what had already been agreed. Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said the shift left clubs “surprised” and ultimately unwilling to continue under altered terms.

“The key points for the establishment of a joint FBL GmbH had already been agreed in the discussions with the DFB,” Dreesen said. “So it was all the more surprising for us clubs that the cornerstones negotiated are now being called into question – even though the clubs will be investing significantly more in the Women’s Bundesliga in comparison. To avoid wasting any more time, we have therefore unanimously decided to finalise the founding of the FBL e.V. … without the DFB.”

Eintracht Frankfurt chief executive Axel Hellmann echoed the frustration, saying the clubs had “unanimously expressed their desire to organise themselves more effectively as a group,” and were “disappointed that agreements already reached… are, in our view, not reflected in the contractual documents.”

Hellmann added: “Whether it will result in a joint venture with the DFB or whether the clubs will go their own way is completely open at this stage.”

The DFB rejected suggestions it had derailed the process, insisting its participation “was never planned” in the form now being pursued by the clubs. Dr Holger Blask, the federation’s general secretary, said the DFB “stands by the commitments made,” adding: “We are convinced that the joint establishment of an FBL GmbH is the right path… No contracts ready for signing have yet been presented.”

Despite that stance, the clubs say they will formally found the new organisation on 10 December, with the meeting shifted to Eintracht Frankfurt’s stadium amid a widening rift over control, governance and the future structure of women’s football in Germany.

Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at power.l1765284532labto1765284532ofdlr1765284532be1765284532sni@g1765284532it’s him.1765284532yrrah1765284532