CEO Zeljko Karajica: „Games of the European League of Football are family events!“

The European League of Football got off to a flying start and attracted attention right from the first kick-off of the third season. Managing director Zeljko Karajica talks about his impressions in an interview and explains why "Football is Family" is much more than just a slogan for the makers of the continental league.

Mr. Karajica, the 2023 season is still in its early stages but has already provided highlights. How would you rate the kick-off?

Zeljko Karajica: Extremely positive! I think it was clear to see that the league has again made a huge step forward in all areas compared to last year. There were certainly a few hiccups, but you cannot forget that we're doing a lot of things for the first time. Fortunately, this is the case because it allows us to learn from them and optimize processes. The feedback from the community has been outstandingly good.

In week 1 at the Rhein Fire in Duisburg and in week 2 at the Sea Devils in Hamburg, records were set for the regular season and even in league history. Did you expect this development?

Two game weeks are in the books, and we had almost 80,000 people in the stands. If you consider that the European League of Football has only been around for two years, then that's a sensational figure. We're proud of that, but we're certainly not going to sit back and be satisfied – rather seeing it as an obligation to keep working on and developing our product even further.

American football is still considered a niche sport. Is that right?

We are in an exciting and very dynamic process. I am currently meeting people who are encountering the sport for the first time, and hardly anyone can escape the fascination and, above all, the atmosphere surrounding it. Football is Family - that's not just an empty phrase, but an attitude that everyone lives by. On and off the field.

What do you see as the basis for this?

I see it in my personal environment, too. The games of the European League of football are a family event, where everyone wants to spend a nice day together in an absolutely peaceful atmosphere. This starts hours before the games and continues afterwards. I am firmly convinced that families in particular will discover football more and more in the future. This is also an important goal that we are pursuing with our league. To be close to people and take them on this journey.