The European League of Football (ELF) American football competition has made a significant change to its senior leadership structure, with experienced soccer executive Ingo Schiller appointed as co-CEO to replace the outgoing Zeljko Karajica.
It was announced by the league last week that Karajica, the founder and chief executive of the ELF, will step down from his role at the end of the year.
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Karajica, who is also the majority shareholder of the league, will remain as co-CEO until the end of the current 2025 season, a move unanimously approved by the ELF shareholders.
The ELF said the change is “a carefully considered and long-planned move designed to ensure a smooth transition and the continued stability of the league.”
The league’s shareholders have now turned to Schiller to lead the organization, with the German also named chief financial officer.
Schiller will “play a central role” in the strategic and economic development of the league.
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By GlobalDataIn his new role, he will lead the upcoming talks with representatives of the 16 franchises from nine countries.
The ELF outlined that 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 meet with franchise representatives, with particular focus to be given to suggestions from the European Football Alliance (EFA).
The 60-year-old has more than 30 years of experience in the sports and finance sectors. From 1992 to 1998, he headed up the marketing/sales and merchandising departments at German soccer club Borussia Monchengladbach and also served as the commercial managing director of Stadionbau.
From 1998 to 2022, Schiller was managing director at Hertha BSC. From 2013 to 2022, he also served on the supervisory board of the German Football League body, which he additionally represented on the executive board of the German Football Association.
Since 2023, Schiller has run his own consultancy agency focusing on corporate management, structural development, and mediation.
Patrick Esume, ELF commissioner, said: “With Ingo Schiller, we’ve gained a partner who has proven over decades how to lead sports organisations strategically, economically, and structurally.”
Schiller added: “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.”
The ELF, now in its fifth season, claims it has “strong interest” from potential new teams for the upcoming season and said announcements in this regard are forthcoming.
Last November, the property secured new investment from Germany-based private equity firm D2D4.
D2D4, led by German energy entrepreneur Klaus Meier, purchased a 10% stake in the league.
With the investment, the ELF is still majority-owned by SEH Sports & Entertainment Holdings.
The league boasts seven German franchises and has been won three times out of its four editions by German teams, most recently Rhein Fire, which won back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.
