The ifm group of companies from Tettnang has been a reliable partner of the Ravensburg Razorbacks for years, which is particularly evident to the public at the ifm Family Gamedays. Now both parties have decided to expand the partnership even further and to continue it in the longer term. Ravensburger and “the Tettnang family company” have put together an extensive package of rights that includes not only naming rights but also many additional sponsorship measures.
In 2012, the international company decided for the first time to invest in the youth of footballers from the Schussental. This support for youth, which began with a set of jerseys, has been expanded continuously since then. They have been a Gameday sponsor since 2017. Most recently, ifm secured one of the coveted spots as a jersey sponsor of the 1st division team in 2019. In good time before the start of the upcoming SharkWarter German Football League season, ifm is now moving even further – right into the center of the club’s logo.
The name sponsor contract with ifm is initially designed for three years. In sport this is a comfortable period of time that enables the “ifm Razorbacks – Ravensburg” to plan and act in the long term, as well as offering optimal development potential. “We have received a commitment from ifm that we could not have wished for better with regard to a potential name sponsor.“Ronny Rühlemann, Head of Marketing at ifm Razorbacks, is enthusiastic about the partnership. Although he has a hard time hearing the word sponsor. “We see ourselves as partners on a common path that ifm has committed to with the agreement. This can also be seen in the fact that the partnership is not designed for a short-term marketing campaign, but is targeted for the long term. There are now medium and long-term development opportunities, whereby we will clearly focus on the area of coaching, both for the GFL team and our second team, but also for our very successful youth teams. “
Even at ifm, name sponsoring is not seen as a short-term alliance of convenience. “We are clearly concerned with the club, its ambitions in terms of sustainable sporting goals and its vision of wanting to grow with talents from the region“, Clarifies ifm Managing Director Human Resources & Member of the Central Management Steffen Fischer. “We identify strongly with the Razorbacks and the football family in the four-country region of Lake Constance. Our company slogan is: ifm – close to you! Because the key to every success has always been the people, whether at ifm or at the Razorbacks. “ For this reason, everyone involved quickly agreed that not much would change in the Ravensburger footballer’s corporate design. The club colors will remain blue, red and white and will not be adapted to the orange of the new namesake. The ifm lettering was integrated very discreetly into the nationally known Razorbacks logo as part of a graphic refresh.
Ifm and the Razorbacks have had a few things in common right from the start of their collaboration. The same views and values, for example. That shows up again and again. “For us, American Football and the German Football League are perfect: If you are looking for action, excitement and drama in the form of fast-paced sport for the whole family, you are at the right place with the ifm Razorbacks footballers. The home appearances of the American football team form one of the most attractive sporting events in the four countries around Lake Constance. Fair play is the core of this sport. Whether on or off the field, the Razorbacks attach great importance to respectful and appreciative interaction. And they also play in the best national American football league in Europe. More is almost impossible. “, says Steffen Fischer happily.
And the statistics prove him right. The number of those who not only watch football on television has been growing for years and that also in times when other sports are posting a decline in membership. In the 2021 inventory of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), the American Football Association Germany (AFVD) can even show growth of 2.45 percent despite the pandemic. This growth is also reflected in the ifm Razorbacks – Ravensburg. Originally founded as Lindenberg Razorbacks, they can look back on a long tradition. So in 2022 they celebrate their 35th anniversary.In 2018 they became champions in the GFL-2 South for the first time, but had to admit defeat to the bottom of the league in the relegation. In 2019, however, by winning the championship in the GFL-2 South and winning the relegation, the promotion to the first division – the SharkWaterGFL-1 – was the greatest success in the club’s history! In the past season, they just failed due to the relegation and took a respectable 5th place in the table as a climber.
Numerous youth players who are currently wearing the Ravensburger jersey have already made it into the selection teams of the state of Baden-Württemberg. There is also a cheerleading group with 3 teams and a total of over 100 cheerleaders who loudly support the footballers at home games. “It was not clear to anyone 35 years ago that the American Football and Cheerleading Department at TSB 1847 Ravensburg eV would make such a development that is now reaching a further high point with the name ifm Razorbacks – Ravensburg. I am therefore all the more pleased that in the year of the 175 year old being the best of the TSB, there is another reason to celebrate. “ enthuses Thomas Prüß, chairman of the TSB 1847 Ravensburg eV – the largest popular sports club in Ravensburg
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