The independent professional division SV Werder Bremen GmbH & Co KGaA has been able to attract strategic partners from the region who have invested in the company as part of a capital increase to strengthen its equity base. This gives SV Werder Bremen the desired greater economic capacity in its core football business. The shareholders have committed themselves to holding the shares for the long term, and detailed regulations ensure that the club will continue to control the company in the future. NETWORK has been advising Werder Bremen as a corporate finance partner on various strategic financing issues for more than 10 years.
Transaction
A regional alliance of entrepreneurs and private individuals with long-standing ties to Werder Bremen is increasing the club's share capital by EUR 38 million. The strategic partners, bundled in a newly established company, will receive approximately 18% of the shares in the football club. The regional alliance consists of prominent figures from the Bremen area, including Frank Baumann (retiring Managing Director of Sport SV Werder Bremen), Arnd Brüning (Brüning Group), Jens Christophers (taskforce), Marco Fuchs (OHB Systems), Martin Harren (Harren Group), Klaus Meier (former wpd Wind Manager), Harm Ohlmeyer (adidas) and Kurt Zech (Zech Group). The regional alliance will receive two supervisory board mandates in the company as part of the investment. The transaction values the company at approximately EUR 211 million, representing a valuation of 1.8x sale (2022/23).
Companies
SV Werder Bremen GmbH & Co KGaA is, among other things, responsible for professional football after being spun off from the sports club "Werder" von 1899 e. V. in 2003. The men's professional football team is a founding member of the Bundesliga and holds the record for the most seasons (58) in Germany's top flight, along with FC Bayern Munich. The women's team also plays in the 1st Bundesliga. SV Werder Bremen generated consolidated revenues of EUR 120.1 million and EBITDA of EUR 9,2 million in the 2022/23 financial year.
