German Hockey Federation Avoids Bankruptcy, Includes Professional Clubs

The German Hockey Federation (DEB) "has avoided bankruptcy and gets a new constitution," according to the DPA. As a result, the professional clubs of the German Hockey League (DEL) and DEL 2 will return under the DEB's umbrella. The pro teams will contribute to the financial rescue of the insolvency-threatened federation through their membership fees. DEB President Franz Reindl: "The inclusion of the professional clubs is a milestone." Due to the club membership fees and the introduction of a single license fee, the DEB is calculating with additional income of €500,000 ($537,000) per year. The state hockey federations, however, "will receive less money and their voting rights will be cut from currently 50% to a third." The DEB made a profit of around €160,000 last year. But this year the federation estimates with a €660,000 ($709,000) loss and for '16 the loss "will be close to a million" (DPA, 4/18).