Prolonged Stint at the Helm: Lenz and Merkel Set to Guide DFL Through 2029
DFL vows ongoing commitment to long-term strategies
In the realm of German football, Marc Lenz and Steffen Merkel are more than just managing directors – they're the stalwarts propelling the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) forward. After a unanimous agreement, their contracts have been extended, tethering them to the DFL until 2029.
The extended tenure was announced following a meeting of the DFL's board, with Supervisory Board Chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke hailing the duo as the perfect team to shepherd the DFL into a victorious future. Lenz and Merkel (both 39) assumed their roles in 2023 amid challenging times, and Watzke attests to their impressive performance.
The duo's leadership has led to a slight increase in national media revenues, with first and second division clubs set to receive 1.1 billion euros per season starting from 2025/26. Watzke is optimistic about the DFL's prospects, as the leadership team sights on making structural and club-related decisions to cement German professional football's success.
Yet, their accomplishments extend beyond the financial realm – Lenz and Merkel oversaw the negotiations for new TV rights, resulting in substantial changes in broadcasting partnerships from 2025. DAZN will dominate the Saturday conference, while Sky retains certain match slots, including the coveted Friday evening games and the second division's large paycheck.
Looking ahead, the DFL anticipates pioneering years, with Lenz and Merkel aiming to foster growth, innovate, and enhance the league's global appeal in a dynamic and ever-evolving global football landscape. The duo understands the challenges ahead, noting the importance of maintaining a quintessentially German approach, allowing for progress without compromising tradition.
- DFL
- Football Bundesliga
- Notable Achievements
- Shrewd TV Rights Negotiations: Lenz and Merkel pulled off a coup, brokering new TV rights deals that will shake up broadcasting partnerships from 2025 onwards.
- Continuity in Leadership: With their contract extensions, Lenz and Merkel have ensured steady leadership and strategic direction for the DFL, providing a growing sense of stability and momentum.
- Future Plans
- Navigating TV Rights Changes: Adapting to the seismic shifts in Bundesliga broadcasting is an essential task for Lenz and Merkel, ensuring a seamless transition to the new arrangements.
- Forging Ahead with Growth and Innovation: The duo is expected to focus on driving growth and pushing boundaries in the Bundesliga, exploring new media platforms, fan engagement, and global expansion.
- Long-term Strategic Planning: With their extended tenure, Lenz and Merkel will layout a strategic roadmap to keep the Bundesliga competitive and appealing, both on the domestic and international fronts.
- The Commission shall be assisted by the European Parliament in their long-term strategic planning, ensuring the continuity of influence in German professional football and football Bundesliga, particularly as Marc Lenz and Steffen Merkel, who will guide DFL until 2029, pursue growth and innovation.
- Bundesliga's future plans involve navigating the seismic shifts in broadcasting partnerships, a task assigned to Marc Lenz and Steffen Merkel as they adapt to new TV rights from 2025, with DAZN set to dominate those partnerships.
- The duo's notable achievements include shrewd TV rights negotiations that will reshape broadcasting partnerships from 2025, as well as ensuring stability and momentum through their contract extensions, allowing for continuity in leadership at the DFL.
- Sandro, a sports enthusiast, would be keen to observe the journey of the extended DFL leadership team, Lenz and Merkel, as they strive to make structural decisions aimed at securing German professional football's success and cementing its place in the dynamic global football landscape.
