Borussia Dortmund’s woes continue both on and off the field as the Bundesliga club grapples with poor performance and financial uncertainty.
On Wednesday, the club’s stock price plummeted to its lowest point since 2013, closing nearly 7% lower at €2.91 by midday, with a daily low of €2.78. This significant drop came in the wake of a surprising 2-4 away defeat to relegation candidate Holstein Kiel on Tuesday night, a result that pushed Dortmund further down the Bundesliga standings.
Slipping in the Bundesliga Rankings
Dortmund now sits in ninth place in the Bundesliga table, struggling to maintain relevance in the race for European football. The gap to fourth place, which guarantees a spot in next season’s prestigious UEFA Champions League, is currently five points. That deficit could grow to eight if RB Leipzig secures a win against VfB Stuttgart later this evening. Adding to their challenges, Dortmund faces a tough matchup on Friday against third-place Eintracht Frankfurt.
Champions League: A Financial Lifeline
Participation in the Champions League is not just about prestige but also a significant financial lifeline. Each club earns a base participation fee of €18.62 million, with an additional €2.1 million awarded for every group-stage win and €700,000 for each draw. Last season, Dortmund generated approximately €120 million in revenue from the competition, accounting for nearly 24% of their annual income.
However, missing out on the Champions League would mean a drastic reduction in earnings. For example, the Europa League offers a much smaller participation fee of €4.3 million, while the Conference League starts even lower at €3.2 million. Currently, Dortmund finds itself outside of all European qualification spots in the Bundesliga standings.
Financial Outlook
The club’s financial situation will become clearer in mid-February when Dortmund releases its earnings report for the first half of the 2024/2025 fiscal year. For now, the combination of poor on-field performance and declining stock prices highlights the urgency for Borussia Dortmund to turn things around.
This challenging period not only threatens their immediate sporting ambitions but also poses long-term financial risks, making the upcoming matches and management decisions critical for the club’s future.