As Bild newspaper reports, Adidas is joining the German Football League (DFL). According to the report, the DFL and the sportswear group have signed an eight-year contract worth 100 million euros. Bild calls it a "100-million hammer." The DFL has been seeking new investors and, according to Bild's information, has now found one.
Other media also report on the deal. T-Online announces a "100-million deal for German football." Sport1 speaks of a loan of 100 million euros that Adidas is granting to the DFL after the collapse of the investor deal. Sportschau confirms that Adidas is granting the DFL a loan of 100 million euros. On the official Bundesliga website, it is stated that the DFL and Adidas are entering into a strategic cooperation.
The exact terms of the contract are not yet fully known. According to Bild, it is an eight-year contract. The DFL had previously been looking for new investors after a planned investor deal fell through. Adidas is now stepping in with a loan of 100 million euros.
The partnership is intended to provide the DFL with financial stability. Adidas has long been the kit supplier for the German national team and many Bundesliga clubs. With its entry into the DFL, the group is expanding its involvement in German professional football.
Further details, such as interest rates or repayment terms, have not yet been disclosed. The DFL and Adidas have not yet officially commented on the report. Bild cites its own sources.
The deal comes at a time when the DFL is seeking new sources of revenue. Negotiations with an external investor had previously failed. Now, with Adidas, an established partner is stepping in to support German professional football in the long term.
Reactions from clubs and the football industry are still pending. It is expected that the DFL will issue an official statement shortly. Until then, Bild's report remains the primary source for the details of the deal.
Overall, Adidas's entry shows that German professional football remains attractive to major partners even without an external investor. The DFL secures financial flexibility for the coming years with the loan.
Source: BILD
