Hertha Baysernliga club acquires a combined sum of 3 million euros for three former athletes.
Going Against All Odds: Unexpected Wins and Looming Costs for Hertha BSC
Sometimes, it's the unexpected transfers that bring a shock to the table!
In an unexpected twist, Herbert BSC bagged a three-million-euro windfall for players long absent from the club's Capital scene. This happened back in 2020!
Lars Windhorst, a previous Hertha investor (48), issued the order for the purchase of striker Krzysztof Piatek for 24 million from AC Milan and Matheus Cunha for 18 million from RB Leipzig. The deal was signed by then-manager Michael Preetz (57).
Piatek (29), the top earner, underperformed in Berlin and, in the summer of 2023, was given away for free to Basaksehir FK in Turkey. Last season, he scored an impressive 31 goals in 48 official matches and has now moved to Al-Duhail (Qatar) for a cool 10 million.
Thanks to a 20% resale participation clause inserted by sports director Benjamin Weber (45), Hertha saves a hefty 2 million!
The clumsy genius Cunha (26) was sold by former manager Fredi Bobic (53) in the summer of 2021 to Atlético Madrid for 30 million. Bobic secured Hertha a double resale participation of 10% each. When Cunha moved to Wolverhampton from Spain in 2023 for 50 million, Hertha received a tidy 5 million.
Now, Cunha is headed to Manchester United for 74 million. Of that, 7.4 million goes to Atlético, and the rest, a substantial 740,000 euros, goes to Hertha.
Unforeseen Expenses on the Horizon
There's a bonus coming for playmaker Lazar Samardzic (23), who swapped to RB Leipzig in 2020 for 500,000 euros. On July 1, 2025, a purchase obligation comes into effect, and the Serbian national player will finally join Atalanta permanently for 14.8 million.
Hertha stands to receive a sizable solidarity contribution of about 370,000 euros. In total, Hertha will reap 3.11 million. But: The bill might be coming soon.
In the ongoing legal dispute (since January 2023) with former CEO Fredi Bobic, a deadline expires on Thursday. Then, Hertha must decide whether to accept the court's proposed settlement and pay Bobic 3.2 million as severance.
Possible Financial Implications of the Settlement:
- Compensation and Settlement Costs: The primary financial implication would be the direct cost of any settlement or compensation agreed upon, including severance pay, legal fees, and any other financial obligations mandated by the settlement.
- Reputation and Sponsorship: A public settlement might affect Hertha BSC's reputation, potentially impacting their ability to attract or retain sponsors. Negative publicity could lead to reduced sponsorship deals or fewer new partnerships, which are crucial for the club's revenue.
- Fan and Community Perception: If the settlement is seen as overly generous, it could lead to a negative reaction from fans and the broader community. This could result in lower ticket sales or merchandise purchases, affecting revenue streams.
- Internal Financial Management: The settlement might require Hertha BSC to reallocate funds from other areas, such as player transfers or youth development programs. This could have long-term consequences on the team's competitiveness and future financial stability.
- Legal and Administrative Costs: Even if a settlement is reached, the legal process and any associated administrative costs could still be substantial. These costs would add to the overall financial burden.
The unexpected financial boost from the 20% resale participation clauses has proven beneficial for Hertha BSC, earning them a total of 2,740,000 euros from the sales of Krzysztof Piatek and Matheus Cunha.
However, the club might face unforeseen expenses on the horizon, as a deadline in the ongoing legal dispute with former CEO Fredi Bobic approaches, potentially leading to a severance payment of 3.2 million euros.
