Despite their defeat in the Championship Game, the Vienna Vikings are one of the most successful teams in the European League of Football (ELF). A key figure behind their success is co-owner Robin Lumsden, whose extraordinary life sets him apart as perhaps one of Europe's most unique sports franchise owners.

Lumsden's background includes playing junior tennis at Wimbledon, eight years as a professional football player in Austria, and completing elite military training with Austria's special forces, the "Jagdkommando". Alongside these achievements, he earned law degrees from prestigious universities like Berkeley and Stanford, becoming a lawyer in both Austria and the United States.

"A new stimulus every few years"

His career highlights include working on the sale of Porsche to Volkswagen and winning a €250 million case for Vienna Airport against U.S. attorney Alan Dershowitz. In 2022, he took on a new challenge as co-owner of the Vienna Vikings, one of the ELF’s top teams.

Lumsden told German newspaper BILD: "Everyone needs a new stimulus every few years. When I feel like my learning curve is flattening out, I look for something new. The world of sports is an exciting new challenge for me."

Great visions and ambitions

Under Lumsden’s leadership, the Vikings won the 2022 ELF title and reached the 2024 finals, maintaining an impressive overall record. But his vision extends beyond that field: "Our vision is that when people come to Vienna, they ask, 'Are you going to the opera or to a Vikings game?'"

Lumsden has turned Vikings games into major events, featuring everything from coin tosses by athletes like Dominic Thiem to motocross stunts and paratrooper displays. His leadership, shaped by his military background, emphasizes unity and resilience, and he personally knows each player on the team.

NFL players in the ELF?

Looking ahead, Lumsden sees great potential in the ELF. He would love to see some NFL players in the ELF: "For the league, it would be a great boost if, like Messi, we could bring in a superstar... someone like Aaron Rodgers would be an amazing addition."

Lumsden’s ambition and drive continue to push the Vienna Vikings forward as they remain a dominant force in the ELF.