The study explores the underlying motives and processes why and how corporate sponsors and professional football clubs in Germany enter into an additional share deal given the contradictory nature of corporations (monetary driven) and football clubs (maximising sporting success while operating in economic equilibrium). This work aims to generate theory within the specific field of professional football and to provide recommendations for action.

Tobias Duffner is a former professional football player. Beside his sports career, he successfully graduated in sports management and holds an MBA from Liverpool John Moores University (in cooperation with the ECBM in London) as management student of the year 2014. In summer 2020 he aims to work as a management consultant.