Armament: BVB ends controversial partnership with Rheinmetall

Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund is ending its controversial sponsorship partnership with the arms company Rheinmetall. The contract, which expires in the summer of 2027, will not be extended after three years. This was announced by the Bundesliga soccer team and the Düsseldorf company.

The decision was made by mutual consent. The decisive factor was the BVB fans' ongoing criticism of the collaboration, the club admitted. “We know the criticism from our members and some fans,” said BVB managing director Carsten Cramer. This was taken into account in the discussions with Rheinmetall.

In May 2024, Dortmund entered into a three-year sponsorship partnership with the Düsseldorf-based arms company. The collaboration caused strong resistance in the fan scene right from the start. At the general meeting in November 2024, the members voted against extending the contract. However, the decision was not binding for the BVB management.

BVB President Hans-Joachim Watzke had defended the controversial sponsorship deal for a long time, but now he is adopting a more self-critical tone. "I underestimated how many Borussians, decent people, tell me: We're not against Rheinmetall. We just don't want Borussia Dortmund to advertise for someone who makes weapons," said Watzke in the podcast "Of All Things". “That’s a point of view that I don’t necessarily have to adopt, but I fully accept it,” said Watzke.

Watzke played a key role in driving forward the sponsorship agreement in his role as chairman of the BVB management board. But now as club president he takes a different tone and wants to “keep the club together”.

"I no longer have the task of deciding things. But I want to keep everything away from the club that leads to divisions, that causes the club to go into disarray. And you have to be honest, that of course led to this a little bit. That was not intended, not even remotely intended," said Watzke. And the 67-year-old confirmed: “It cost the club a lot.”

That's why he said to the current management: "You know the decision of the general meeting. And I would ask you to respect it. You don't have to stick to it, but of course 250,000 members of Borussia Dortmund play a role in a decision-making process. Anything else would be embarrassing."