League board Ebenbauer on the TV contract: “There are several interested parties”

Why did the Bundesliga recently contain the proposal that both dismissals are canceled with their three voices?

Because, from our point of view, the structural reform clearly comes first and interim president Wolfgang Bartosch has made a clear application that you both go on the way with both until the structural reform is under roof and field.

Bartosch also said that the new president or chairman of the supervisory board should be involved in the search for new CEOs. In an interview with the “Ballesterer”, they recently meant the opposite that “should be searched now” in parallel to the reform.

This interview was led before Christmas, i.e. before deciding on the basic features of the reform. It is now important to fulfill life, then you can talk about people.

That means your statement is no longer up to date?

There is currently no search. It remains unchanged for me that there should be a decent application process, which is definitely necessary. But I don’t know what has changed since the autumn decision.

You are mentioned as a candidate for the CEO post in the ÖFB. How interesting is that for you?

For me, the tender for TV rights for the Bundesliga currently counts.

What is the state of affairs in this regard?

We prepare all variants. A possible splint remains self -marketing to full or partially. We are in the final elaboration of the business plans. The second is the classic rights advertisement, which should go out at the end of March, at the beginning of April – based on the preliminary talks with all possible partners. In addition to the allocation of rights, the question of production is a core topic. Here, too, it is about a classic tender or alternative variants such as the Danish model. We are in a hot time because all balls are in the air. We hope that there is also a lot of pressure in the kettle when it comes to results.

What is the Danish model?

The Danish league has founded its own production company. This requires a strong partner, because you need an extensive production infrastructure, starting with cameras, a studio, distribution channels and staff. With such a partner, the Danes have put together a company and built a studio that plays all of them. In the middle of Copenhagen, directly on the subway and 2,500 square meters. The league produces itself and is involved in this company with 49 percent.

What are the advantages?

With this variant you sit on the steering wheel compared to the current model, where the rights holder is also a production service provider, and are not a passenger. But founding your own company also brings with it investments and risk.

How many interested parties are there currently for TV rights?

Compared to previous tenders, I am glad to be able to say that there are several interested parties. The question is always whether you really make offers.

Canal+ is new in Austria, according to sports director Thomas Trukesitz, you have already met with them twice.

We address everyone who comes into question. Canal+ is a giant concentration and a potential partner, just like telecommunications companies that have their own sales offers. We do not auction like the UEFA, we sell. As the largest and coveted product, the UEFA can dictate all framework conditions and assign them to the highest bidder. But we try to find a best possible solution for clubs, fans, TV consumers and rights holders so that our clubs can ideally choose from several offers.