Bundesliga Fans Protest Against Private Equity Investment

Weekend Matches Disrupted as Fans Express Discontent Over DFL's Plan to Sell Stake of Future Broadcast Revenues

Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 fans across Germany protested against the German Football League’s (DFL) decision to seek a strategic partner, with 24 of 36 teams voting in favor of securing private equity investment in return for a share of TV rights over the next two decades.
Fans from all 36 teams announced they would remain silent for the first 12 minutes of their matches across the weekend, with multiple matches interrupted by further protests including throwing chocolate coins and tennis balls onto the pitch.
Protests turned violent on Friday when a game between second division sides Paderborn and Hansa Rostock was interrupted after Rostock fans threw pyrotechnics onto the pitch, causing injuries and an estimated €100,000 ($109,085) in damage.
Bochum forward Takuma Asano capitalized on the protests by eating one of the chocolate coins thrown onto the field and then scoring a decisive goal.
Many supporters are deeply unhappy with the DFL’s plan to sell a stake of future broadcast revenues to an outside investor, fearing the influence an investor could wield over the league and potential changes to make it more attractive to TV audiences at the expense of fans who attend games.