The press conference was titled “Exports hits from the Ruhr area - specialty chemicals and top-quality football”: Borussia Dortmund and Evonik Industries AG have cemented their partnership. The shirt sponsorship deal, in place since 2006, has been extended until June 2025, with Evonik also becoming BVB’s strategic partner holding a direct stake of about nine percent in the club’s capital stock.

The press conference provided another key message. “Our philosophy will not change. We are not issuing a warning to Bayern Munich,” emphasised BVB chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke upon enquiry, adding that BVB will not make the same mistake as 14 years ago after the IPO “when the money was spent quickly with nothing left to spare.” Instead, the proceeds – 26 million euros from the capital increase – will be used to promote growth and achieve an annual turnover of 300 million euros in the medium term without transfer income. “We can then go and increase our player budget on the basis of that growth.”

In addition to the extension of the contract and the strategic partnership with Evonik, Watzke announced another capital increase which will take place between 1 July and 30 September. “We are having exploratory talks with interested companies,“ said BVB’s chairman of the board.

The partnership with Evonik, which was launched in 2006, has long proved a win-win for both parties. “We are forging an alliance of strength between two partners in Germany's Ruhr region that both stand to benefit from. We know what we mean to each other. Heart and mind go naturally hand in hand in such a partnership,” said Dr. Klaus Engel, chairman of the Evonik’s Executive Board, adding: “Our commitment at BVB has proved to be the most effective and successful marketing tool in the development of the still young Evonik brand."

Today, two thirds of the general public in Germany is aware of the chemical company from Essen - half of them because of BVB. Engel said: “Among financial and business decision-makers, a particularly important target group for us, recognition is 95 percent, with 74 percent associating Evonik with BVB.” As a global company, which operates in more than 100 countries around the world and which generates 75 percent of its revenues outside Germany, Evonik set “its sights on the global language of football” to enhance its brand awareness.

Addresssing Dr. Engel, Watzke said: “We will push each other to the limits in the next 11 years. This partnership is both a pleasure and an obligation for us."