Borussia Dortmund U23s promoted and ready – A closer look at the 3. Liga challenge that lies ahead
3. Liga means more costs but more income for BVBs second-string side
Based on the impressive crowds and historically well-established clubs, the 3. Liga will present Borussia Dortmund’s U-23s side a challenge of intense, high impact football which will give the young stars a chance to match their skills against the best young talent outside of the top two tiers.
But the promotion will also bring additional costs for Borussia Dortmund, including nationwide travel in contrast to the western region travel associated with the Regionaliga-West and additional security costs associated with much larger travelling fan contingents at Stadion Rote Erde in Dortmund.
The president of former Bundesliga team SpVgg Unterhaching, who were relegated this season from the 3. Liga, Manfred Schwabl recently said in an interview with the Abendzeitung. “The system, in 3. Liga, doesn’t work. Because clubs are expected to meet difficult criteria to compete in the third division, the travel costs alone make this league virtually uncompetitive compared to the marginally higher gates achievable in the league”.
One bonus which will encourage Borussia Dortmund is the TV revenue. Under the current deal, the third division clubs receive €800,000 euros each across the 20 league clubs, 500,000 more than England’s League One. The TV deal in the 3. Liga is also in stark contrast to the €50,000 paid to each club in the Regionaliga.
Next. The ten youngest players to ever play for Borussia Dortmund. dark
Borussia Dortmund’s ticket office was unable to provide an exact cost for the season ticket when contacted earlier this week, but with an ‘expected season ticket price of between €100-150’ that the ticket office did estimate. This represents outstanding value but also a league packed with great away days at some of the most historic grounds and competitive football which is on a par with most second tiers leagues in Europe.