What’s next for 1. FC Köln? On Tuesday evening, the second edition of “E Levve lang – The Talk about FC” took place at EXPRESS with DFB managing director Andreas Rettig (61) and Thomas Kessler (38, head of licensing at 1. FC Köln).
There was talk about staying power in the promotion race, the further development of the Cologne team and expensive transfers. Of course it was also about income and finances. Since the club does not rely on external investors, income must be generated cleverly.
1. FC Köln: Increase membership fee by 100 euros?
During the EXPRESS talk, the viewer question came up as to whether the annual membership fee at FC could be increased by 100 euros. With 140,000 members, 14 million euros would come into the FC coffers annually. An interesting approach to increasing revenue without bringing investors on board. Rettig and Kessler had to smile at first. But then an exciting discussion developed.
Kessler said: “In my position, I may be the wrong person to contact. But at the end of the day it is clear: We have over 140,000 members – and they have clearly stated that we do not want investors. A few years ago it was even agreed that even if one percent of the shares were sold, the consent of the members would be required.”
Kessler thinks the Cologne way is good: “I signed my contract knowing this and work for 1. FC Köln – the big owners are the 140,000 people who are members. When decisions are made at this level, I not only have to respect that, but I work accordingly every day.”
The Cologne sports director also made it clear that there is a competitive disadvantage: “We have to face the competition, and in one place or another it is of course more difficult than if someone from outside adds money. But I find it extremely exciting and it’s the right path for me.”
Rettig spoke about a model at FC St. Pauli, where a cooperative was set up where members can purchase shares in the stadium. “This came about during my time at Pauli. The approach: We thought about how we could inject capital without saying: whoever gives coal can have a say. The cooperative model emerged from this thinking. The motto: What one cannot do, many can.”
Rettig (at St. Pauli from 2015 to 2019) had also commented on city rival Hamburger SV at the time: “We don’t need one investor Kühne, we need 25,000.” Following Rettig’s food for thought, a financing model has now been implemented: St. Pauli has a good 45,000 members , a cooperative share costs 850 euros. No matter how many shares you purchase, you still only have one vote.
The money collected is primarily used to finance infrastructure projects. Rettig believes: “A significant double-digit million amount will be raised.” The stadium loan should be paid off first. “This ultimately frees up money that can be invested in sport,” says Rettig.
Whether similar thought games can be implemented at 1. FC Köln in the future or whether the annual contribution can be increased is up to the eV to decide – that is, the members. A fan bond expired in the summer – from 2016 to 2024, fans could buy securities at 1. FC Köln (interest rate 3.5 percent).
The current membership fees in Cologne are as follows: free for up to 6 years, young people aged 7 to 17 pay 42 euros, adults 92 euros. If you live 150 kilometers away, you save 35 percent. The reduced contribution of 42 euros applies to pensioners, people with disabilities (from a degree of 50 percent) as well as pupils, students, trainees and those doing voluntary service (up to the age of 28). There is also a family contribution (153 euros) and lifelong membership (one-off 1948 euros.)
