DEL CEO Tripcke Says Dusseldorf EG Needs To Find Investors Now To Secure Future

German Hockey League (DEL) CEO Gernot Tripcke "sees only a future for the financially struggling Dusseldorf EG in the DEL if the club receives support from large-scale investors," according to SPOX. Tripcke said, "It is certainly not enough to count only on 'young guns' and on the motto: 'We will do it solely with standing-room fans.' This sounds great, but nowadays you couldn't even finance a Oberliga team (third-tier team) with it." The DEG has to have a budget of at least €4M-5M ($5.4M-6.8M) to be competitive in the DEL. Tripcke said that "time is running out." Tripcke: "You have to acquire possible sponsors right now, not at the last second. Then I believe the DEG can be rescued." DEL clubs have to apply for a license for the upcoming season by Feb. 15 and pay a security deposit of €100,000 ($136,000). The DEG currently needs more than €2M ($2.7M) to cover its budget of about €4M for the upcoming season (SPOX, 1/30).