Fortuna Düsseldorf is taking a new approach to generating revenue. It’s expensive – and the competition is keeping a close eye on it. A commentary.

“Fortuna for everyone” – the traditional club Fortuna Düsseldorf has presented its idea for the future under this motto. The club, which is currently active in the 2nd Bundesliga, wants to return to the Bundesliga, establish itself there, all with an idea that has never existed before.

There is talk of a revolution. At the end of which there should be a stadium in which all available 54,600 seats are occupied and no spectator has paid for a ticket. Where the club is even more firmly anchored in the city, where the youth and women’s teams also participate, and where social projects also benefit from the money.

Sounds great in theory. “Tailor-made” is the project for the traditional club. So far, 45 million euros have been pledged by four partners for five years. But the money won’t be enough, more partners will be needed.

One thing is clear: the project is extremely ambitious. It is still far from clear when the goal of issuing all tickets for free can be realized.

After all, the calculation is simple. 45 million euros over five years – minus the costs for youth, the stadium and social projects – means too little per year for the professionals to be able to afford to give out all tickets for free. The Bundesliga can’t be run like this.

A lot still has to happen here: Because revolution or not. In the end, no idea will make it into the Bundesliga. Both parties want to earn. Fortuna, which wants to play with the big boys again. The partners, who have their own expectations, for which they provide a lot of money. Because one thing always remains the same: No one gives money away; there are no Samaritans in professional soccer.

The competition will be looking eagerly to Düsseldorf to see what develops there. One can take one’s hat off to the courage to choose a completely different path. Whether it will work out in the end is still written in the stars.