The majority of the clubs in the Eredivisie and Keuken Kampioen Division have agreed with the decision to work together towards a new, joint football organization. Both competitions will therefore fall under the same league organization, the Eredivisie CV and the Coöperatie Eerste Divisie (?CED) reported in a press release. It speaks of a ‘historical movement, which is in line with the developments in Spain (LaLiga), Germany (DFL), France (LFP) and England (EPL).’
The new organization will strive to ‘grow both competitions sportively, commercially, organisationally, socio-economically and as a brand’. “The new football organization will have more say over the sporting and commercial aspects of the competitions. The clubs will also increase their effectiveness by appointing a daily management and a one-tier board with more powers. In addition, they agree to the new business plan, of which all clubs in professional football benefit”, the Eredivisie CV and the Coöperatie Eerste Divisie explain in the joint message.
According to the report, the merger will lead to better sporting performances in and outside the Netherlands, more income for the clubs and a ‘more positive association regionally, nationally and worldwide’. Jan de Jong, director of the Eredivisie CV, indicates that due to the new league organization there will be more often ‘one sound from Zeist’. “To the supporters, the commercial market as well as to politics. This makes it possible to lobby better and it is easier to improve the image of the sector. It also provides more decisiveness. More control over the sporting and commercial, creates significant opportunities to structurally increase the income for the clubs.”
“And with that we want to become the 6th competition in Europe. Then we can also divide the money slightly differently, which increases professionalism at all clubs. In addition, it is now especially important to keep everyone connected, all 34 clubs in both divisions and the KNVB,” De Jong adds. Marc Boele, director of the Coöperatie Eerste Divisie, also states that the new league organization can act as the ‘ideal representative’ of the 34 professional football clubs. “The objective to reduce the gap between the Eredivisie and the Kitchen Champion Division and to competitive balance within the Kitchen Champion Division, makes Dutch professional football even more exciting.”
The SB of the Eredivisie has been intensively involved in the process, says FC Utrecht director Thijs van Es on behalf of the SB. “The good thing about the plan is that everyone gives something up for the benefit of the greater whole, but gets a lot in return, namely: a significant increase in the value of Dutch football. It is impressive that the very large collective of club boards can now work together in this future.” want to realize.” The goal of the professional football organization is to have five leagues under one roof by 2025. In addition to the Eredivisie, Keuken Kampioen Divisie, KPN eDivisie and Keuken Kampioen Divisie Esports Predator Fan Competition, the Pure Energie Eredivisie Women’s Competition is also a full part of the league organization.
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