The struggling TSV 1860 Munich is receiving support from the entertainment industry. Comedian Wigald Boning (59), actor Kida Khodr Ramadan (49), and lawyer Ulrich Wetzel (69), known from RTL court shows, are promoting the crowdfunding campaign "Football for the People" in short video messages. With this initiative, fans of the traditional club are raising money for a fresh sporting start. The celebrity trio is asking their followers to share the campaign and financially support the club.
Boning brings the largest reach: The former "RTL Samstag Nacht" star and "Die Doofen" singer has more than 370,000 followers on Instagram alone. Ramadan became known to a wider audience as clan leader Toni Hamady in the series "4 Blocks". Wetzel, on the other hand, has been appearing on camera as a television judge since the early 2000s, reaching an audience of millions.
Did TV producer Otto Steiner pull the strings?
The fact that three well-known faces are supporting the club is apparently no coincidence. It appears that Otto Steiner (63) used his industry contacts to recruit the celebrities for the campaign. At the very least, Steiner shared the posts from Ramadan and Wetzel on his private Instagram page. Steiner was active at TSV 1860 Munich as vice president and supervisory board chairman, among other roles.
However, he is likely better known to a larger audience as a television producer: Steiner is the founder and managing director of Constantin Entertainment. The production company is responsible for, among others, the Amazon show "LOL: Last One Laughing", the Vox format "Shopping Queen", and the Netflix series "Kaulitz & Kaulitz".
Lions must start over in regional league
The background to the donation campaign is the traditional club's severe crisis. Due to financial problems, 1860 Munich did not receive a license for the 3rd League and will compete in the regional league in the future. Insolvency proceedings are underway against the former professional club. Previously, the club had terminated its cooperation agreement with investor Hasan Ismaik after years of conflict.
The initiators want to put the slogan "Football for the People" on the team's jerseys in the upcoming season. The message behind it: From the fans' perspective, the sport primarily belongs to the supporters and not to companies or investors. At the same time, the supporters understand the campaign as a commitment to the 50+1 rule, which is intended to limit the dominant influence of external financial backers in German soccer.
Donation goal already significantly exceeded
Financially, the campaign is already a success. The original goal of 250,000 euros has been clearly surpassed: By Monday evening, around 315,000 euros had been raised from nearly 5,000 donors. The crowdfunding only started on July 5. There was also prominent support from the music scene. The Italo-schlager band Roy Bianco & Die Abbrunzati Boys donated a symbolic 1,060 euros. Singer and guitarist Zanti is known as a devoted supporter of the Lions.
