According to media reports, Lukas Podolski’s Baller League wants to “pause” operations in Germany for the time being. How long is unclear. The reason is the market size and “structural conditions”.
At the Baller League indoor football league, the first thing to say is: the game is over. At least for the German market. The league is pausing operations in this country “for the time being,” as a spokesman for the startup told “DWDL”. International representatives of the Baller League cite the market size in Germany and “structural conditions” as reasons for the (supposed) break. Baller League International denied financial problems to “DWDL”.
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In December 2024, the startup closed a Series A round of €25 million, led by European VC fund EQT Ventures. In July 2025, the league’s CEO, Felix Starck, said on the OMR podcast that he was aiming for a billion-dollar valuation by 2026 – i.e. unicorn status. However, the league was not yet profitable. Sales would be in the mid double-digit million range.
About the Baller League
The Baller League was founded in Germany in 2024. The main initiators include the two professional footballers Lukas Podolski and Mats Hummels, with Hummels leaving the Baller League after one season in July 2024. CEO is Starck, he has a background as a director and producer.
Investors and UK expansion
And yes, 2025 was also a year of expansion for the Baller League: The sports investment company Apex brought Premier League stars like Mason Mount, Diogo Jota and Diogo Dalot on board. Courtside Ventures – a company with NBA legend Michael Jordan as a shareholder – also invested in March.
With this capital, the UK expansion got off to a successful start: Sky Sports secured the broadcasting rights, and the finals in June 2025 took place in London’s O2 Arena. At the same time, the league relocated its German Season 3 to Berlin in Hangar 7 at Tempelhof Airport. An important partner of the Baller League in this country, namely Xing, ended a sponsorship contract. According to “DWDL” according to plan.
The market for small indoor football leagues is consolidating somewhat in this country. What remains is the Icon League by Toni Kroos and streamer Elias Nerlich and the Kings League by Gerard Piqué.
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