Oldenburgische Landesbank (OLB), a leading financial institution in northwest Germany, has joined forces with the German Football Association (DFB) in a landmark partnership.
This collaboration marks a significant development for both parties, with the potential to significantly impact women’s football in Germany.
The partnership is set to officially commence on August 1, 2024. OLB will assume the role of an official partner, with a particular focus on supporting the DFB’s highly successful women’s national team. This strategic move aligns perfectly with OLB’s commitment to promoting diversity and empowering women.
Speaking on the partnership, Stefan Barth, CEO of OLB, said, “We are very proud to support the women’s national team. This team has successfully combined performance and likeability for years and is enjoying ever-increasing attention from the population. The players are self-confident, but always remain down-to-earth and approachable. The team has lived team spirit, fair play and performance for years, always with the right amount of humour and lightness. That’s why the women’s national team is a perfect fit for our first nationwide sponsorship.
“Football is one of my sporting passions. The DFB women have also inspired me time and again in recent years. We at OLB are keeping our fingers crossed for the team at the Olympic Games that are now beginning and hope that the dream of a medal becomes reality, although the peaceful connection between nations outside of sporting competition is rightly the focus at the Olympics.”
Nia Künzer, DFB sports director for women’s football, added, “We are very much looking forward to working with OLB. In our discussions, we found the bank to be authentic and ambitious, but at the same time approachable. These attributes are a perfect fit for our women’s national team. Thanks to their commitment, particularly to the promotion of women and to greater diversity, OLB is on the same wavelength as us.”
Dr. Holger Blask, Chairman of the Management Board of DFB GmbH & Co. KG, continued, “OLB is already one of the most profitable and efficient banks in Europe and wants to grow even further. With the partnership and through joint actions, we want to help achieve our goals. They coincide with those of our DFB women, who stand for the highest standards, performance, responsibility, joy of playing and diversity, among other things.”
The financial terms and the exact duration of the partnership have not been disclosed publicly. However, it is expected to be a multi-year agreement that will encompass various marketing and promotional activities. OLB’s branding will be prominently displayed during international matches of the women’s national team, particularly through advertising boards. Additionally, both parties aim to leverage their networks to organize joint events and initiatives that support and empower women in sports and beyond.
OLB boasts a rich history dating back to 1869 and is renowned for its comprehensive suite of financial services for individuals and businesses. The DFB, on the other hand, oversees German football at all levels, with the women’s national team enjoying immense popularity and achieving impressive results on the international stage. This partnership presents a unique opportunity to leverage OLB’s financial muscle and the DFB’s reach to elevate the profile of women’s football and inspire future generations of female athletes.
This strategic partnership follows DFB’s pact with Nike and Klarna and extension with Volkswagen.
