Roger Hampel
Photo Credit: FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04, one of the most recognizable German clubs, currently playing its second season in a row in the 2nd Bundesliga, is addressing its financial challenges by introducing Auf Schalke eG, a support cooperative designed to provide financial stability while maintaining the club’s democratic structure.
Purpose of Auf Schalke eG
The cooperative aims to tackle Schalke 04’s pressing financial issues, including significant debt levels. In 2023, the club allocated €16 million to service its debts, limiting resources for other strategic areas. Instead of relying on external investors, Auf Schalke eG seeks to mobilize financial support directly from fans, club members, and businesses.
Membership and Funding Auf Schalke eG: FC Schalke 04
Membership in the cooperative is open to Schalke 04’s approximately 190,000 members, as well as businesses and organizations. Members can purchase shares priced at €250 each, with an additional one-time entry fee of €75 for individuals and €500 for legal entities. Each member, regardless of the number of shares held, is entitled to one vote, ensuring equal representation.
The funds raised through the cooperative are intended to reduce the club’s debt and support long-term financial planning, without dependence on profit-focused external parties. This structure reflects Schalke 04’s commitment to solidarity and its tradition as a membership-based club.
Governance Structure
The cooperative operates under a two-tier governance system:
Board
The board comprises two members:
• Matthias Tillmann, Chairman of Schalke 04 and the cooperative’s board.
• Michael Kalthoff, Finance Director at RAG Aktiengesellschaft. Kalthoff, a native of Bottrop in the Ruhr area, has been a member of RAG’s board since 2019. Prior to this, he held senior leadership roles at the RAG Foundation.
The cooperative’s bylaws mandate a three-year term for board members. One member is delegated by the Schalke 04 e.V. board, while the supervisory board appoints the second member. There are no term limits for board members.
Supervisory Board
The supervisory board acts as a control body and consists of six members:
• Sven Kirstein, Chairman of the supervisory board.
• Johannes Struckmeier, also delegated by Schalke 04 e.V.
• Four additional members elected during the founding assembly: Holger Brauner, Rolf Haselhorst, Frank Lotze (Vice Chairman), and Günter Althaus.
Future members of the supervisory board will be elected by the general assembly, with terms lasting four years. To ensure stability and knowledge transfer, initial terms were staggered between one and four years. The two e.V.-appointed members remain until their delegation is withdrawn by Schalke 04 e.V.’s supervisory board, for instance, if they leave the e.V. supervisory board.
General Assembly
The general assembly is another key organ of the cooperative, functioning similarly to the Schalke 04 e.V. member assembly. Members who acquire shares gain voting rights, and the assembly is chaired by the cooperative’s board. It convenes annually within the first six months of the fiscal year.
Member Benefits
Members who purchase at least four shares receive additional recognition, such as:
• A printed membership certificate,
• An exclusive “Auf Schalke eG” pin,
• Name inclusion on a commemorative monument near the VELTINS-Arena.
Implications for the Club’s Future
By establishing Auf Schalke eG, FC Schalke 04 is creating a financial buffer that allows the club to address its debts while preserving its identity as a member-driven organization. This cooperative approach aligns with the club’s ethos and offers a sustainable alternative to the growing trend of external commercialization in football. The project’s success could inspire other clubs facing similar challenges to explore fan-based funding solutions that maintain autonomy and foster community engagement.
Comments