Bundesliga Side Borussia Dortmund, Evonik Industries Launch International Campaign

Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund's main sponsor Evonik Industries is extending its sponsorship agreement with the club to June 30, 2025. Evonik will be taking a direct stake in Borussia Dortmund through the planned capital increase, and will be acquiring 9.06% of its capital stock, which will lead to gross proceeds for Borussia Dortmund in the amount of €27M ($37M) for the issue of new shares. The two partners are laying foundations with an int'l focus. For Evonik the alliance is a way of enhancing int'l recognition of its brand (Borussia Dortmund). KICKER's Thomas Hennecke reported Borussia Dortmund Managing Dir Hans-Joachim Watzke called "two to three strategic investors" ideal. He said that the club "is having exploratory talks with various companies." However, Watzke did not say if current partners like stadium naming-rights partner Signal Iduna (contract until '21) or kit supplier Puma (contract until '20) "are part of this circle of companies" (KICKER, 6/27).