DFL to launch a Stronger Presence in the USA
It is a sure sign on the global soccer stage that America has arrived — when Bundesliga International is looking to capitalize on the sport’s momentum in the USA and reach our audience. The Bundesliga, the top German soccer league, is a passion for millions of fans across the world — now the USA will have its own focus.
Soccer News: For US players, the Bundesliga is a hotbed of soccer and player development. Overall, 50 players from the United States have competed in more than 2,000 Bundesliga games.
Who was the first player? It all started with Tom Dooley joining the Bundesliga in 1986 and Steven Cherundolo, who holds the US record player with 370 games in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2.
Today, young talents such as Christian Pulisic, trained and shaped in the youth academy of Borussia Dortmund, and Weston McKennie from FC Schalke 04 are the next top US players in German football stadiums.
Germany has always been a leader in soccer, or football, as it is called everywhere in the world outside of the USA.
Germany has led the way developing talent for decades.
Even top Brazilian players have tested their skills in the Bundesliga including José Gilson Rodriguez, known as Zeze, who joined 1. FC Köln in 1964, followed by numerous Latin American players who developed in Germany and went on to become global stars including Zé Roberto, Paulo Sérgio, Roque Santa Cruz, Pável Pardo, Chicharito, Claudio Pizarro, Rafinha, James Rodríguez and Leon Bailey.
So it is Time: Bundesliga Opens in the Americas with New York Office
Bundesliga International, DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga’s fully owned subsidiary responsible for the international sales and marketing activities of the German top football leagues, has its eyes on the Americas.
Now that soccer’s popularity has risen to new heights, Germany wants to make sure it scores a strong presence in the gigantic American market.
Bundesliga wants to make sure Americans understand their reputation and significance globally.
Opened in October 2018, the New York office is Bundesliga’s second international branch, Singapore opened six years ago is the first.
The Bundesliga celebrates fast and modern football and is proud to have the highest average attendance of all European top flights, along with the most modern stadiums. To top that off, the Bundesliga has the most “unique clubs with local heroes and tomorrow’s superstars,” according to Robert Klein, CEO of Bundesliga International.
“The Regional Head Office Americas is the next logical step in expanding our presence in North, Central and South America to bringing our clubs, players and the Bundesliga experience even closer,” said Klein.
“Bundesliga is football as it’s meant to be,” these are the words of Robert Klein.
“Bundesliga International has picked the ideal time and location to expand, New York is the perfect match. I am always happy to return to the US, especially for such a great occasion,” said Bundesliga Legend Lothar Matthäus who came for the opening event. “My time in the MLS taught me a lot, including the value of being close to the local supporters. Today, we recognize that local fans appreciate the Bundesliga’s long tradition of developing young, talented players from the American continent and love watching them evolve.”
The Bundesliga International Corporation office will be run by Melanie Fitzgerald, who has agreed to join as Head of Bundesliga Americas and Arne Rees, Executive Vice President Strategy.
“Based on our observations of growth in general football interest and in Bundesliga, in particular, the time is right to make our mark on the region,” said Rees. The league’s office will support their top clubs efforts in the USA.
FC Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, FC St. Pauli, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and 1. FSV Mainz 05 all have focused efforts on in America.
German Football Goes Virtual
If forging a force in the USA was not enough, the Bundesliga continues to push forward in the virtual world.
In addition to the established German championship for individual players, the “TAG Heuer Virtual Bundesliga” (VBL), clubs of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are now competing for the title of German eFootball champion this season.
In partnership with EA SPORTS FIFA 19, DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga has launched the “VBL Club Championship” under the VBL brand. Participating clubs have until 21 December to nominate a squad of between two and four players.
Kickoff for the VBL Club Championship is January 15, 2019, with clubs playing every other club once.
The matchdays will generally be played in online mode, but one top match every week will be produced for TV with the players appearing live in the studio.
Each match consists of three single games. Two will be played in one-on-one mode: one on the PlayStation 4 and one on the Xbox One. The third game will be played in two-on-two mode on the console of the home club’s choice.
The German club champion in the VBL Club Championship will be determined in mid-March 2019.
Fun Fact: In 2012, DFL became the first professional football league to have its own eFootball competition when it launched the VBL in partnership with EA SPORTS and now has more than 150,000 participants.
DFL and EA SPORTS launch new “Player of the Month” award for the Bundesliga
Determined by fan and expert vote, the official “Player of the Month” will be awarded in cooperation with EA SPORTS FIFA 19 – Official Bundesliga Licensee –by DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga as of October 2018.
Six Bundesliga players will be nominated each month and the basis will be the official DFL match data including goals, assists and tackles won.
One of the six players nominated on the basis of match data will be voted “Player of the Month.”
Bundesliga FIFA 19 “Player of the Month” Vote will be decided as follows:
- 30% by the team captains of the 18 Bundesliga clubs
- 30% by an expert panel of Bundesliga legends and media representatives
- 40% by fans from around the world
Bundesliga fans get the biggest share of the vote (40 percent) and will submit their votes directly on the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 website
“We are delighted to bring together the best players from the Bundesliga and football fans from across the world to further blur the lines between the real world and virtual football,” said Jens Kosche, Managing Director Electronic Arts Germany.
