FC Hansa Rostock reported a profit of around one million euros for the 2023/2024 financial year, enabling debt reduction. However, the club faces financial challenges due to the loss of its main sponsor, resulting in a projected 15 million euro revenue drop. CEO Jürgen Wehlend expressed disappointment over sponsorship issues while the club tightens its budget, cutting staff by 15 percent. Despite struggles, Hansa enjoys strong fan support and aims for stability in the future.
FC Hansa Rostock’s Financial Performance and Challenges
In the financial year of 2023/2024, FC Hansa Rostock, a club in the third division of German football, reported a profit of approximately one million euros. This achievement allowed the club to decrease its debts to financier Rolf Elgeti by nearly two million euros. However, the team is now grappling with financial difficulties following the exit of its primary sponsor, ’28 Black’.
“We experienced a very successful year and find ourselves in a robust position,” stated Hansa’s CEO, Jürgen Wehlend. The profit from the past fiscal year was primarily attributed to the club’s successful run in the 2nd league, where they enjoyed an additional nine million euros in television revenue compared to the third division.
Future Financial Outlook and Sponsorship Issues
The club also managed to lower its debts by almost two million euros owed to Obotritia Capital KGaA, an investment firm closely associated with Elgeti. According to the annual report, Hansa still has 11.6 million euros in outstanding debts to this firm. Elgeti has played a significant role in the club’s financial history, having previously settled around 20 million euros in debts in 2015, thus preventing insolvency.
Elgeti’s candidacy for the supervisory board has sparked considerable debate among Hansa’s approximately 28,000 members. Should he be elected, he would have a direct influence on the club’s financial decisions and future direction.
The financial outlook for the current year remains troubling, as Hansa anticipates a revenue decrease of 15 million euros compared to the previous year. This drop is primarily due to relegation and significantly reduced TV revenues. The withdrawal of their main sponsor, the Luxembourg-based beverage company ‘Splendid Drinks’, has further complicated matters, creating a financial gap of around 1.4 million euros. Wehlend expressed frustration over the sponsor’s decision, stating, “Not only is this deeply disappointing, but it also has serious financial consequences for us.”
In light of these challenges, the club is exploring legal action regarding the sponsor’s contract termination. Wehlend remains hopeful about attracting new partnerships to support Hansa in the coming years.
As FC Hansa Rostock navigates the complexities of third division football, the club is tightening its budget significantly. According to Wehlend, further debt reduction is not feasible in this league, and operational savings measures must be implemented. The club has already reduced staff by about 15 percent post-relegation and is considering postponing projects and cutting investments. The goal is to achieve a break-even point in the 2024/2025 financial year, with hopes for a successful holiday season in merchandise sales.
Despite these challenges, Hansa has shown resilience on the pitch, delivering strong performances against promotion contenders like Arminia Bielefeld. The club enjoys tremendous support from its fans, with an average attendance of 23,071 in the third league and a total of 28,330 members—an increase of about 3,000 from the previous year.
Looking ahead, Wehlend remains optimistic about the club’s future, stating, “We will ensure that the club maintains its license every year and successfully navigates this league. We have the capability and a solid foundation for that.” However, frustrations were evident during the recent general meeting, where members expressed dissatisfaction with Wehlend’s leadership, opting to discharge other board members while denying him the same.