Given the bitter rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, it is truly a rare occurrence when the two teams actually agree on something.
However, die Roten and die Schwarzgelben, who were locked in an intense battle for the 2022/23 Bundesliga title earlier this season, have come together following some surprising developments in Germany. In May, it was reported that several private equity entities had wanted to invest in the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga, only to be rejected many of the 36 members that make up the DFL.
Many of the clubs that rejected this were smaller teams, while by contrast Borussia Dortmund were clearly in favor of it based on statements made by CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, who noted that "The majority of the clubs voted in favour of the project, but it was four votes less than the two-thirds majority desired by the DFL executive committee".
Flash-forward a few weeks later, and now there have been new reports of more rumblings taking place in Germany. In addition to Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich have also been vocal about their displeasure in the DFL voting against outside investment. Both teams have opted to skip a crucial media-related meeting which was to focus on media rights for both the Bundesliga and the 2.Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are apparently keen on exploring new options regarding TV rights and corresponding revenues, leading some to speculate that two of Germany's biggest clubs are keen on eventually breaking away from the Bundesliga entirely. This is quite similar to what happened in England back in the early 1990's, when several clubs banded together to form the Premier League as they were tired of having to remain tied to smaller, less profitable clubs and thus sharing the corresponding TV rights revenues.
Of course, Bayern and Dortmund will need more than just themselves to make a serious case for forming a different league. Currently, there are 36 teams in both the Bundesliga and the 2.Bundesliga. Will German football fans see the formation of a new competition, over 30 years after 22 clubs in England decided to create what is now known as the Premier League today?
Only time will tell, but it could shape up to be a very interesting summer for fans of German football.
