Germany/DFL: Mark Lenz & Steffen Merkel appointed joint-CEOs from 01/07/2023

The supervisory board of DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH, which met on 07/06/2023, has unanimously decided to appoint Mark Lenz and Steffen Merkel as joint-CEOs with effect from 01/07/2023, announced the German League on 08/06/2023. They will succeed Axel Hellmann and Oliver Leki, who were appointed on 08/12/2022 to act as interim heads of the DFL following the resignation of its CEO Donata Hopfen.

"Lenz and Merkel have both been with the DFL GmbH for many years, are already members of the DFL management board, and are closely involved in the work and proceedings of the league's governing bodies. From July, they will succeed the interim CEOs Axel Hellmann and Oliver Leki, who will perform their roles until 30/06/2023 as planned, allowing for an optimal handover period. The DFL will provide information on the precise responsibilities of the new management team in due course," said the League.

The DFL is thus opting for internal recruitment by promoting the two 37-year-old men. Mark Lenz has been with the DFL since 2019 and is currently executive vice-president in charge of corporate…