topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2248.53 -0.97
DAX 6729.31 -0.88
IBEX 30 8839.1 -0.71
CAC 40 3402.82 -0.64
FTSE 100 5877.09 -0.31
AEX 322.65 -0.76
DJIA 12890.46 0.05
Nasdaq 2927.23 0.39
FTSE MIB 16625.62 -0.17
TSX Composite 12497.94 -0.18
ASX 4322.6 -0.79
Hang seng 20783.86 -1.08
Straits Times 2960 -0.71
ISEQ 20 502.74 -0.19
You are here: Home News German News Good times could be over for footballing millionaires

German News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


25/07/2008Good times could be over for footballing millionaires

A landmark ruling by Germany's monopoly commission has demanded that football be freely available on public television, spelling an end to huge contracts for exclusive rights

Berlin -- German clubs look set to be hit financially after broadcasters and the German football league (DFL) failed to come to an agreement over rights for the new season which maintained the current level of income.

A recent decision by the monopolies commission deemed it illegal for broadcasting rights to be sold to only one media outlet. The commission demanded that some matches be shown on free-to-view broadcasters rather than cable and sateillite stations where viewers pay sizeable subscription fees.

Consequently the DFL predicts a lower interest in rights by broadcasters themselves and a possible reduction in the amount of money flowing into the game.

Karl-Heinz Rummenige, the chairman of Bayern Munich, lambasted the changes.

"I don't know, if they (the commission), know how football ticks and what negative consequences this will have. I have the feeling that our politicians are throwing ever higher hurdles in our way. I don't know how we are supposed to be internationally competitive and see big problems to come."

Berlin newspapers reported Friday that Hertha BSC, the capital's biggest club, could expect around 7m euro less than predicted due to the changes.

Christian Seifert, business manager for the league association told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, "There is a danger that interest in television rights will now be much lower than expected."

A reduction in the money the league receives will not be universally unpopular among fans. Europe-wide there is criticism of the amount of money which clubs, and therefore players, receive. Player wages are a contentious issue, with the average footballing wage dwarfing that of the average fans, who can earn as much in one week as supporters may earn in an entire year.

Traditionally Germany has had one of Europe's strongest leagues but now faces the prospect of losing its most attractive players to better-paying clubs in England, Spain and Italy.

Dominic Hinde


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Travel & Transport in Germany

visa usa

Discuss German Culture

Personality interview - the German style

Legal Problems in Germany

Serious "Health Care Insurance & Legal" Issue

Healthcare in Germany

Serious "Health Care Insurance" Issue

Jobs in Germany

IFAs / FSIs / Country Managers / Confidential Introducers

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
The ABCs of the German school system

The ABCs of the German school system

What you need to know about German schools and daycare.

German immigration and residency regulations

German immigration and residency regulations

Want to move to Germany but haven’t figured out the details? Check out Expatica’s overview of the German permit system.

Driving in Berlin: Rules, habits and fines

Driving in Berlin: Rules, habits and fines

In part one of our two part series, we cover the driving culture in Berlin, where to park and buy gas and, most importantly, the laws.

Looking for work in Germany: The in depth version

Looking for work in Germany: The in depth version

Our comprehensive guide includes information on how to find work, recruitment agencies, employment contracts and labour law.