Hertha BSC is exploring a cooperative funding model inspired by FC St. Pauli. The concept was discussed at a members' conference this week as a way for the club to raise capital without external investors.
Presidium member Ferhat Dogru played a leading role in the debates. "After observations by several participants, Dogru acted as the driving force in the discussions and appeared far more agile than President Fabian Drescher (43)," it was said. However, concrete plans for how Hertha would use the funds remain undecided. Possible projects include stadium renovation, fan infrastructure, or youth academy development.
The Hamburg blueprint
FC St. Pauli serves as the template. Over 21,000 people acquired shares in the FC St. Pauli cooperative, which reached a total value of approximately 29.2 million euros. These funds are earmarked for stadium financing, modernizations, and the youth sector of the second-division club. FC Schalke 04 also launched a cooperative to reduce its high liabilities. By spring 2025, around 8,000 Schalke members had invested nearly eight million euros, including for stadium shares at the Veltins-Arena.
For FC St. Pauli, the focus remains on the sporting routine. Fabian Hürzeler's team currently sits eighth in the 2. Bundesliga table with seven points from six games. Their recent form reads one win, two draws, and two losses from the last five matches. The next fixture is at home against Karlsruher SC on October 10th.
The discussion at Hertha demonstrates how FC St. Pauli's model is gaining traction beyond Hamburg. When or if the Berliners will solidify their plans remains unclear. For FC St. Pauli, the season continues next weekend with the home game against the 14th-placed side.
First reported at Bild Sport
