The European League of Football (ELF) has announced a significant leadership appointment, with Ingo Schiller named as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately.
Aged 60, Schiller is a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience in sport and finance. His appointment was unanimously approved by the ELF’s shareholders and marks a pivotal step in the league’s strategic and financial development. As previously announced, ELF co-founder and CEO Zeljko Karajica will step down from his management and operational duties at the end of the 2025 season.
In his new role, Schiller will lead forthcoming discussions with representatives from the league’s 16 franchises across nine countries. These talks will focus on establishing a stable, long-term framework that benefits all stakeholders. A meeting will be convened shortly, with particular attention given to proposals from the European Football Alliance (EFA).
Schiller’s extensive background includes senior positions at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he led marketing, sales, and merchandising, and later at Hertha BSC, where he served as managing director from 1998 to 2022. At Hertha, he oversaw finance, operations, marketing, HR, legal, infrastructure, IT, and business development. He also held seats on the supervisory board of the German Football League (DFL) and represented the DFL on the executive board of the German Football Association (DFB). Since 2023, he has led his own consultancy, advising on corporate management and structural development.
“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,” adds outgoing CEO Zeljko Karajica.
Reflecting on his appointment, Schiller says:
“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.”
“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.
