BERLIN, March 13-- Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke fears some of the 36 German professional clubs might not survive the current crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak and its economic consequences. While the loss of ticket sales (500 000 to 3.5 million Euros per game) appears bearable, the damages caused by unfulfilled contracts with TV presenters and sponsors are a substantial threat, the 60-year-old commented. "Not for us, but for several others, things could turn into a battle against insolvency," the official said. "We face the biggest crisis in the history of German football." Some media reports speak of a loss of 68 million euros per match day. The tabloid Bild rated the total losses out of unfulfilled TV contracts at 680 million euros when the season would have to end after 25 rounds of matches. This Friday the German league association announced to postpone league action until April 2. The proposal needs to be approved by the majority of clubs at their emergency meeting next Monday. "Contracts with sponsors at times say you have to deliver 34 games over a season," Watzke commented. The reduction of payments would result out of unrealized agreements. The same applies to TV contracts," he added. "What happens when you haven't satisfied your contract partners' demands a month after the originally planned end of the season?" Clubs not able to pay wages are in danger of losing their players on a free transfer basis, Watzke claimed. Incalculable consequences could follow, the functionary underlined. |