Women's basketball: The league boom fails to materialize

The joy of seeing each other again was great, but the result was a setback. In their first game since the World Cup in Berlin, the German basketball players lost 64:70 against Hungary and thus had a false start to the European Championship qualification. The memories of Berlin, where the DBB women achieved a historic fourth place, make Alex Wilke shine despite the defeat. “To be responsible for triggering such a hype is incredibly nice,” said the national player after the game. “Also because I was there when that wasn’t the case.”

Sold-out games in front of 12,000 people, media coverage like never before - women's basketball was on everyone's lips, and there was therefore great hope that the momentum could be carried over into the domestic Bundesliga. Did that work? “I would like to answer yes, but honestly no,” says Wilke, who plays in the Bundesliga for current champions Keltern and was voted the best player last season. Dirk Steidl also shares this opinion. “The really big boom didn’t happen,” Wilke’s team manager in Keltern told the taz.

On the one hand, this is because women's sports in Germany have a difficult time with sponsors, and on the other hand, money in basketball is generally rather rare. The latter is simply missing everywhere, says the basketball manager. “What we do with our modest means is to maintain the status quo,” said Steidl about Keltern’s annual budget, which amounts to around 500,000 euros. "If the capital were available, you would also have an attractive league, venues and competitions. Without it it is difficult."

In Hamburg, the DBB women were celebrated in front of around 3,000 fans. In the Bundesliga, on the other hand, the games usually take place in school gymnasiums, in front of an average of 600 spectators. In addition, there are currently only ten teams competing in the Bundesliga. According to those responsible at DBBL, there should be at least twelve. But there is a lack of clubs that can raise the financial resources for the first division in the event of promotion.

The league association requires 220,000 euros from them as financial proof in order to receive the license; It's 320,000 euros to stay in the league. This is what the new statutes provide, which are intended to ensure the professionalization of the league by 2027. This also includes modern LED boards, mandatory social media appearances and full-time trainers in the youth sector. In addition, from this season onwards there must be at least four German players in the matchday squad.

Because it's also true: Alex Wilke was only one of three players in the World Cup squad who earn their living in Germany. The rest play abroad, for example in the WNBA, in Spain or France. National coach Olaf Lange also criticized this fact after the World Cup. Not only that, he even recommended that his players leave Germany.

Dirk Steidl finds this criticism bitter. The conditions in this country are not comparable to the French or Spanish leagues, which receive significant financial support from their national association and the state. In Germany, however, the DBBL leases the rights to the league from the DBB; according to Steidl, the clubs have to pay considerable fees to the association. “But these cannot be refinanced with sponsorship money, which can threaten the company’s existence.”

Keltern's team manager would instead like greater support from the DBB. “Without their help we won’t get anywhere in the long term. We need the big partners who are also interested in women’s basketball,” says Steidl. "Raising 500,000 euros every season is no small feat. If we don't get help, things will be tight for some clubs and the league."

But there is also reason for optimism. The DBBL board has reorganized itself; former national player Ireti Amojo has been in charge there since March. “Our new board is trying to get things started, and as you can hear, there are good discussions,” said Steidl.

The DBB women also need optimism now. The two remaining games against Denmark and Portugal must be won. However, Alex Wilke appears calm. "We have shown in the past that we can handle pressure well. That is the character of our team."