FC St. Pauli's Executive Board has a fresh face with the arrival of Hanna Obersteller as the new Vice President. The general meeting on Thursday at the Hamburg Congress Centrum saw her elected with an impressive 97.4% of votes, succeeding departed Vice President Carsten Höltkemeyer.
Obersteller, a born financial expert, joins the club with a wealth of experience in finance and organization. Her background as a former handball player has prepared her well for the challenges ahead. Excited about her new role, she expressed her desire to "support the club in its unique blend of professional soccer and social commitment with my experience as CFO in an international corporate environment."
With a record-breaking turnover of 62 million euros in the 2022/23 fiscal year, the club still posted a loss of 4.9 million euros. Obersteller will be working closely with the new commercial director Wilken Engelbracht to improve the club's financial performance, leveraging her expertise to navigate this delicate balance.
As a financial expert, Obersteller may focus on strategies such as:
- Revenue Diversification: By expanding music and event offerings at the Millerntor-Stadion, the club can tap into non-football revenue streams like San Siro.
- Membership and Shareholder Programs: Leveraging the Football Cooperative St. Pauli von 2024 eG to acquire fan and member investment, helping finance the Millerntor stadium's operation and paying off loans.
- Charity and Sponsorship: By continuing charity initiatives and securing sponsorship deals, FC St. Pauli can also strengthen their financial position and reputation.
- Stadium Development and Utilization: Optimizing the use of the Millerntor-Stadion to generate more revenue
- Fan Engagement and Loyalty Programs: Enhancing relationships with fans through loyalty programs, season tickets, and exclusive merchandise to maintain high attendance rates.
- Cost Management and Efficiency: Reducing costs while maintaining high performance standards through staff optimization, expense reductions, and improved financial management.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with brands to boost sponsorship revenue.
- Digital Transformation: Enhancing the club's digital presence through digital marketing, e-commerce, and social media engagement.
With her financial expertise, Obersteller will be instrumental in ensuring FC St. Pauli's continued prosperity and success in Bundesliga 2.
