Saturday, November 14, 2009
In Germany: Fans, Not Private Investors, Own The Clubs
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David Conn/The Guardian
Bundesliga votes to keep clubs owned by members
The overwhelming majority of German clubs opted this week to remain under the control of their fans
The clubs of the German Bundesliga this week voted overwhelmingly to keep the rule that they must all be controlled by their members, and cannot be taken over by private investors. Even Bayern Munich, Hamburg SV and the other great names of the Bundesliga have to be owned 50% plus 1, a majority, by their members ( there are two exceptions, Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkeusen, which were originally works teams).
Many fans treasure this system, believing it has been instrumental in keeping German football close to its fans and roots even in the slick, commercial modern age. Ticket prices are low, affordable to young fans and the grounds, among the best in the world, boast the highest average attendances in Europe.
The national supporters group Unsere Kurve had led a mass campaign to retain the 50+1 rule, and on Tuesday delivered a petition signed by more than 100,000 fans of all clubs.
Keeping the "50+1" rule is a statement of confidence in the system which directly rejects the English approach, where football clubs are in reality companies, available to be bought and sold by businessmen from anywhere. Several Bundesliga clubs have grumbled throughout this decade that the rule has held them back from attracting private investment which could improve their finances. Yet at their meeting this week, an application from Hannover 96 to overturn the "50+1" ruling was overwhelmingly rejected, with 32 clubs voting against it, 3 clubs abstaining - and only Hannover 96 themselves voting for the proposal.
Dr Reinhard Rauball, the League Association president, said after the vote:
"The Bundesliga is remaining true to its principles and maintaining its reliance on the factors which have made a decisive contribution to the success of the professional game in Germany in recent decades: stability, continuity and proximity to fans."
This is a sporting tradition we should study more closely. In Germany, they have preserved member-ownership of even their greatest professional clubs, maintain accessible ticket prices, their clubs field teams in a wide spread of sports, and are centres for massive community use of excellent facilities.
That is enlightened, and very different from the landscape here, where sport began and is blessed by splendid qualities, yet where we have never truly agreed on the values it should have, or how best to protect them. Guardian
David Conn/The Guardian
Bundesliga votes to keep clubs owned by members
The overwhelming majority of German clubs opted this week to remain under the control of their fans
The clubs of the German Bundesliga this week voted overwhelmingly to keep the rule that they must all be controlled by their members, and cannot be taken over by private investors. Even Bayern Munich, Hamburg SV and the other great names of the Bundesliga have to be owned 50% plus 1, a majority, by their members ( there are two exceptions, Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkeusen, which were originally works teams).
Many fans treasure this system, believing it has been instrumental in keeping German football close to its fans and roots even in the slick, commercial modern age. Ticket prices are low, affordable to young fans and the grounds, among the best in the world, boast the highest average attendances in Europe.
The national supporters group Unsere Kurve had led a mass campaign to retain the 50+1 rule, and on Tuesday delivered a petition signed by more than 100,000 fans of all clubs.
Keeping the "50+1" rule is a statement of confidence in the system which directly rejects the English approach, where football clubs are in reality companies, available to be bought and sold by businessmen from anywhere. Several Bundesliga clubs have grumbled throughout this decade that the rule has held them back from attracting private investment which could improve their finances. Yet at their meeting this week, an application from Hannover 96 to overturn the "50+1" ruling was overwhelmingly rejected, with 32 clubs voting against it, 3 clubs abstaining - and only Hannover 96 themselves voting for the proposal.
Dr Reinhard Rauball, the League Association president, said after the vote:
"The Bundesliga is remaining true to its principles and maintaining its reliance on the factors which have made a decisive contribution to the success of the professional game in Germany in recent decades: stability, continuity and proximity to fans."
This is a sporting tradition we should study more closely. In Germany, they have preserved member-ownership of even their greatest professional clubs, maintain accessible ticket prices, their clubs field teams in a wide spread of sports, and are centres for massive community use of excellent facilities.
That is enlightened, and very different from the landscape here, where sport began and is blessed by splendid qualities, yet where we have never truly agreed on the values it should have, or how best to protect them. Guardian
