In Germany the levels of debt are comparatively low and fan ownership more common. In England we have massive debts with big business after the lucrative worldwide merchandising money. In the case of Chelsea a billionaire owner who clearly loves his football but has frankly, bizarre style in running the club. I guess he has rights as he has pumped hundreds of millions into the club - £50,000,000 (62,000,000€) for Torres alone even if some of the purchases he has made have not gone well.
On the downside the fans are totally ignored a fact that has been amply demonstrated by the sacking of RDM and his job being given to the fat controller (Rafa Benitez) who the fans clearly hate and don't mind singing so from the stands.
Hertha announced in their members meeting on Monday that their debt has risen from 37 to 42,000,000€ and Hertha do not have a rich "sugar daddy" like Roman Abramovich, One could argue thank god!
Personally I don't like the idea of debt and don't see that as a way of spending our way out of trouble. I'm not sure why we bought all of the players we did in the summer. At least one more defender would have been handy rather than a whole raft of Strikers. Having said all of this Luhukay has done a remarkable job forging a team this season. I'm not sure what we're going to do to reduce the debt - hold our breath until we're back in the Bundesliga with crowds of 60-70,000 in the Olympiastadion!
There was talk in the press about having to sell Adrian Ramos in the winter break to balance the books but I gather Michael Preetz says they don't want to do this and nor do they need to. Unless someone makes an offer in the Winter break that suits everyone he will be staying put. Personally I can't see a major offer happening as they weren't exactly queuing up to buy him in the summer. I hope he does stay, we could do with him in the squad in the Rückrunde.