Lenz and Merkel to Lead DFL Until 2029

Continuity at the Top of German Football

Marc Lenz and Steffen Merkel will continue to lead the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) after the supervisory board of the umbrella organization for German professional football agreed on a contract extension until the end of 2029. The duo has been in charge since the summer of 2023.

According to supervisory board chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke, Lenz (39) and Merkel (39) are the ideal candidates to guide the DFL into a successful future, citing their expertise, extensive experience in football, strong identification with the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, and their unifying approach.

Watzke Praises the Leadership Team

Watzke commended both executives for their leadership during challenging times, noting that they have managed the DFL effectively. „The strong national media rights deal dominates perceptions, but they have achieved significant successes beyond that and have much more ahead. They collaborate excellently with the committees and clubs,“ he remarked.

In the recent allocation of national media rights for the seasons from 2025/26 to 2028/29, the DFL secured a total of 4.484 billion euros, marking a rise of approximately two percent compared to the previous four-year cycle. During this period, the 36 professional clubs can expect revenues of 1.121 billion euros per season.

Future Plans Announced

Merkel announced that from this strong position, structural and substantive adjustments will be made in collaboration with the clubs, focusing on sports, sports policy, and particularly marketing, in light of their business model, the changing media markets, and global growth ambitions.