Schalke 04: Stölting reinforces the cooperative for club strength!

Schalke 04: Stölting reinforces the cooperative for club strength!

FC Schalke 04 has taken an important step towards economic independence by gaining Stölting Service Group GmbH as a new member of his funding cooperative "Auf Schalke eG". This was announced on March 9, 2025. Stölting is now one of the more than 6,400 registered members of the cooperative, which has set itself the goal of creating a sustainable and solidarity financial framework for the association. The support from Stölting is a sign of the company's commitment, which has been a sponsor and partner for FC Schalke 04 for many years. As a premium partner, the Stölting Service Group takes on various services, including security and cleaning work as well as catering in the Veltins-Arena. Hans Mosbacher, senior manager of Stölting, play an active role in the "Business roundabout on Schalke", which underlines the close connection between the company and the football club. According to Ruhr24 , the concept of the cooperative is an important instrument for more than 190.400. But also to enable companies and associations to participate. Democratic principles and solidarity together are the focus of this initiative with which Stölting identifies.

cooperatives in German football

The idea of ​​cooperatives in football is becoming increasingly important. In addition to Schalke, FC St. Pauli, for example, is discussed on start -up cooperatives. Josef Derkum, a business economist from Cologne, initiated this several years ago and calls for the return to a model that benefits the members instead of only serving financial investors. Derkum sees cooperatives as an opportunity to strengthen democratic participation within the club structures. He pays particular attention to the cultural aspect of football and responsibility towards the fan base.

In Germany there have been cooperatives for 170 years. They are considered the largest economic organization with over 22 million members and an insolvency rate of only 0.1 percent. This stability and trustworthiness are also of great importance for traditional associations such as FC Schalke 04, especially in view of the current financial and sporting challenges. Günter Althaus, former President of the German Cooperative and Raiffeisenverband (DGRV), emphasizes the potential of the formation form for Schalke. It could offer a sustainable solution that is shaped by the fans.

The discussion about a possible outsourcing in the form of a cooperative is also conducted in the context of other clubs. For example, FC St. Pauli plans to transfer up to 46 percent of the shares in its stadium company company to the fan base in the form of a cooperative. The principle of "a member, one voice" should significantly strengthen the bond of fans to the association. In view of these developments, the question arises as to what role cooperatives will play in German football in the future.