In a surprising move, the Ingolstadt Dukes announced last Friday their withdrawal from the ERIMA German Football League for the 2024 season. This decision was communicated to the American Football Association of Germany (AFVD), which received it with regret. However, no written termination of the license agreement or return of the game license has been carried out so far.
The Dukes' intention to withdraw their 1st men's team from the ERIMA GFL raises questions about the league's future. The AFVD and the league association GFL e. V. are in contact to discuss the implications of these considerations and to find alternative solutions. A replacement procedure is currently not planned, which means that the ERIMA GFL South will play with 7 teams.
The withdrawal of the Dukes' first team also marks the end of their cooperation with Head Coach Eugen Haaf. The decision was made by mutual agreement, and the club thanks Haaf for his many years of dedicated work. However, it remains unclear in which league the Dukes will compete with their first team in the future.
The financial situation of the club is a decisive factor in this development. The Dukes justify their withdrawal from the GFL 1 by aiming to avoid another over-indebtedness. The club's financial situation has turned out worse than expected, leading to radical cost-cutting measures.
The future of the team is uncertain both in terms of sports and finance. Players who had already committed will leave the club, and the Dukes will need to rebuild their financial base to attract long-term partners and ensure the club's financial stability.
There are also rumors about the club's financial situation, which are denied by the officials. The club is not insolvent but aims to prevent another debt crisis. The measures taken aim to protect the club and its various teams.
The Dukes will take their time to make an informed decision about their future league affiliation and emphasize the need to stabilize their financial situation before taking further steps.
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