The European League of Football (ELF) has announced a major strategic enhancement to its leadership team with the appointment of veteran sports executive Ingo Schiller as its new Co-CEO.
This move signals a deliberate focus on professionalizing the league’s structures as it continues its rapid expansion across the continent.
Schiller, who brings over 25 years of high-level experience from his tenure as Managing Director of the German Bundesliga club Hertha BSC, will be instrumental in guiding the league’s next phase of development. His renowned expertise in finance, stadium infrastructure projects, and digitalization is expected to provide a crucial foundation for the ELF’s long-term ambitions.
In his new role, Schiller will form a powerful triumvirate with existing Co-CEO Zeljko Karajica and ELF Commissioner Patrick Esume.
Schiller commented:
I’m looking forward to this task because I see enormous potential in the European League of Football – both in terms of athletic development and commercial success. The league has grown rapidly and excites football fans around the world, yet it is still at the beginning of its journey. I’m highly motivated to actively help shape the ELF in this responsible role, in close coordination with the franchises and shareholders.
The responsibilities will be clearly delineated to maximize their collective expertise: Schiller will oversee finance, league operations, and organization, while Karajica continues to lead media production, sales, and marketing. Esume will maintain his focus on all sporting matters.
Departing CEO Karajica said:
I greatly appreciate having him (Schiller) at my side through the end of this season – and beyond that, the league’s leadership is in the best possible hands.
This restructured leadership is designed to tackle the challenges of a growing league, which has expanded to 17 teams across nine nations since its inception in 2021.
The appointment is seen as a critical step in building a sustainable and commercially robust organization capable of becoming the premier American football league in Europe.
Schiller’s arrival is perfectly timed to leverage the league’s on-field success by establishing the off-field financial and organizational excellence required for sustainable growth.
His track record of managing large-scale stadium projects and navigating complex financial landscapes will be invaluable as the ELF looks to solidify its market position and enhance the experience for its teams, players, and fans.
This appointment is a clear statement of intent from the ELF, demonstrating its commitment to building an elite professional sports organization from the ground up.
