German Hockey Federation, Second-Division Clubs Reach Out-Of-Court Agreement

The German Hockey Federation (DEB) and the clubs of the second Bundesliga have reached an out-of-court agreement before Thursday's court date. The second division will continue to be organized by the "Eishockeyspielbetriebs-Gesellschaft" (ESBG) until '18, which from now on will manage itself. A corresponding cooperation deal between the DEB and the ESBG has been newly agreed upon. In addition to the clubs and the DEB, the German Hockey League (DEL) will receive a share of the new ESBG. DEB President Uwe Harnos said, "We have reached a compromise which satisfies all involved parties. The upcoming season has been saved." The second Bundesliga's chief negotiators Wilhelm Graue, Rene Rudorisch and Alfred Prey said, "We are planning to start the new season under the name of our new product, DEL2" (DEB).