The 14 top-flight clubs in German women’s football have organised themselves collectively.
VfL Wolfsburg, alongside 1. FC Union Berlin, SV Werder Bremen, SGS Essen, Eintracht Frankfurt, SC Freiburg, Hamburger SV, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Carl Zeiss Jena, 1. FC Köln, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, FC Bayern Munich and 1. FC Nürnberg, have founded the Women’s Bundesliga FBL e.V. The collective organisation of the top-flight clubs signifies a shared commitment to actively and sustainably shaping the future of German women’s football, unlocking potential and maximising the professionalism of its structures through significant investment.
Three-member executive committee
At its founding ceremony, the newly established Women’s Bundesliga FBL e.V. elected a three-member executive committee headed by its newly appointed president, Katharina Kiel (Eintracht Frankfurt). The executive committee, which will represent the interests of the club association, is completed by first vice-president Veronica Saß (Bayern Munich) and second vice-president Florian Zeutschler (SGS Essen). With its founding, the league association and its executive committee will begin their work in their new capacity and continue the process they have initiated for the future of the Women’s Bundesliga.
“Visible signal of the clubs’ commitment”
Ralf Kellermann, director of women’s football at VfL Wolfsburg: “The founding of the Women’s Bundesliga FBL e.V. is a steadfast step and, at the same time, a visible signal of the clubs’ commitment to the continued professionalisation of German women’s football. We have driven forward significant developments both on and off the pitch in recent years. This association now provides us with the organisational framework to make the league even more stable in sporting terms, stronger in performance, and sustainably competitive in the long run. Although the founding has taken place without the DFB for the time being, it would be very welcome if we could to continue along this path together in the future.”
“Transparent, progressive and collaborative”
Dr. Tim Schumacher, managing director at VfL Wolfsburg: “The clubs shoulder the majority of the responsibility for infrastructure, organisation and administration in their day-to-day operations, from talent development through to stadium and training facilities. With the FBL e.V., we are creating a shared platform to coordinate these tasks even more efficiently and to further enhance the standards of a modern professional league. The new association structure enables us to address key future issues transparently, progressively and collaboratively - a crucial foundation for the sustainable growth of women’s football.”
“A crucial milestone”
Michael Meeske, managing director at VfL Wolfsburg: “The founding of FBL e.V. marks the first time that an independent, entrepreneurially minded representative body for the top-division clubs has been created - a major step forward for the marketing, brand development and visibility of the league. The clubs already generate a significant share of the value in women’s football today. In future, we will be able to concentrate and actively expand our economic potential even more effectively. Our ambition is to establish the Women’s Bundesliga as a strong, exciting and relevant brand within both the German and international sporting landscape. The FBL e.V. is a crucial milestone towards achieving this.”
