Expert on the investor deal: position "weakened to the max"

Economist Henning Zülch believes that an investment is essential for the future of the Bundesliga, even after the collapse of the DFL deal. "We have to make a decision: Do we want to drive on a country road or a highway? If we want a highway, then we have to have a highway with a speed limit. Our speed limit is 50+1," the professor from the Leipzig Graduate School of Management told the German Press Agency. "If we want to drive on country roads, then we can, with all due respect, join the quality of the Turkish or Portuguese leagues. Then we'll have clubs that play at the top but have nothing to say internationally."

Zülch advocates a meeting of equals from all sides and better communication. "The fans are not denying that something needs to be done," said the business expert. However, the current discussion is too emotional and there is a lack of economic expertise to assess the long-term nature of current developments.

Zülch believes that the German Football League (DFL) in particular has a duty in this regard. It scrapped the planned investor deal on Wednesday after weeks of fan protests. "It must organize a roadshow in which clubs and fans are treated as equals. Everyone must have a basic understanding of the business model," emphasized Zülch. The path must lead away from thinking about day-to-day business and towards the long term.

At present, Zülch sees the negotiating position as "maximally weakened". "Investors are scared off, so there's no need to enter the market," said the scientist. In the future, however, large sums of money could still be obtained from investors: "The Bundesliga has by no means exhausted its growth potential. It is still very attractive for investors," said Zülch. The DFL must turn the current weakness into a strength and draw the right conclusions.