The shareholders of the European League of Football have made a key and high-profile appointment: Ingo Schiller has been named Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with immediate effect.
The 60-year-old sports executive and financial expert will play a central role in the strategic and economic development of the league. Schiller’s appointment was unanimously approved by the ELF shareholders. Zeljko Karajica, co-founder and CEO of the ELF, will—as previously announced—step down from management and operational duties at the end of the 2025 season.
In his new role, Ingo Schiller will lead the upcoming talks with representatives of the 16 franchises from nine countries. The objective is to work together constructively to develop a stable and sustainable model for all stakeholders and to secure the long-term future of the ELF. Schiller will soon invite the franchise representatives to a meeting where particular attention will be given to suggestions from the European Football Alliance (EFA).
Ingo Schiller brings more than 30 years of experience in the sports and finance sectors. From 1992 to 1998, he headed the marketing/sales and merchandising departments at Borussia Mönchengladbach and also served as the commercial managing director of Stadionbau GmbH. From 1998 to 2022, Schiller was managing director at Hertha BSC, where he was responsible for key areas including finance, organisation, marketing & sales, infrastructure, human resources, legal, IT, and new business. From 2013 to 2022, he also served on the supervisory board of the German Football League (DFL), which he additionally represented on the executive board of the German Football Association (DFB). Since 2023, Schiller has run his own consultancy agency focusing on corporate management, structural development, and mediation.
“With Ingo Schiller, we’ve gained a partner who has proven over decades how to lead sports organisations strategically, economically, and structurally,” says Patrick Esume, ELF Commissioner.
“I greatly appreciate having him at my side through the end of this season—and beyond that, the league’s leadership is in the best possible hands,“ says ELF-CEO Zeljko Karajica.
“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,” says Ingo Schiller, the new Co-CEO and Chief Financial Officer of the European League of Football.
“Especially now, as we look to take the ELF to the next level and make it future-proof after a rapid build-up, Ingo Schiller—with his wealth of experience and expertise—is the right person in the right place. We’re very pleased to have brought him on board,” says Heinz Kierchhoff on behalf of the ELF shareholders.
