According to Sport Bild, Borussia Dortmund's management is leaning toward not renewing its sponsorship contract with Rheinmetall, which expires in 2027. One of the main reasons for a potential termination is the relationship between the club and its supporters. Carsten Kramer, the recently appointed managing director, has spent months urging fans to support the club.

Following the partnership agreement in 2024, Borussia Dortmund supporters expressed strong disapproval. During the opening Bundesliga home match against Frankfurt's Eintracht, banners and placards were displayed on the Yellow Wall, with one reading: "First coal, then values." Additionally, a cardboard tank was erected outside Signal Iduna Park stadium. Fans protested, arguing that the weapons manufacturing group profits from war, not peace.

Two years ago, a general meeting produced a striking result. Of 855 members who voted, 65% opposed the sponsorship. Watzke subsequently called this a "clear signal," but stated he wanted to hear from more than 200,000 members: "Taking the overall assessment into account, I must also consider that this represents only 0.25% of our members. I am a democrat and I respect yesterday's result. This is an initial signal." However, this result is not binding for the club.

From a financial perspective, ending the partnership would be a significant blow to Borussia Dortmund. Rheinmetall could pay Borussia Dortmund up to 10 million euros annually. Despite these concerns from Borussia Dortmund, Rheinmetall itself has no intention of terminating the partnership.

Rheinmetall told Sport Bild: "We are satisfied with this partnership and consider it successful. It has helped us increase our visibility as a technology group and as an attractive employer. Among our employees, this partnership generated great enthusiasm, and employee-focused events were also very popular."

Rheinmetall also stated that an official fan club has reportedly been established and football camps have been organized for Ukrainian children. The group said: "A dialogue has also begun about security and a democratic society capable of self-defense. We view such an exchange as a long-term task and will actively support it in the future."

Rheinmetall announced that it will work together with Borussia Dortmund to "decide whether to extend the partnership after 2027 and what the scope of future investments will be." No date for discussions has been set. Rheinmetall stated: "For us, the priority right now is to continue fostering the orderly development of our existing partnership."

Переведено ИИ.

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