SC Potsdam withdraws license application: Drama before the start of the season!

SC Potsdam withdraws license application: Drama before the start of the season!

The women's volleyball Bundesliga is facing further upheaval, as SC Potsdam surprisingly withdrew its license application for the upcoming 2025/26 season today. This withdrawal comes just days before the start of the season and means the league now only consists of eleven teams. How in southern Thuringia reports, the club wants to forestall an impending license revocation, which would have been associated with penalties and further financial difficulties.

The reasons for this step are obvious. SC Potsdam is forced to file for insolvency due to a loss of income. These measures are the result of financial difficulties triggered by the high costs of participating in the Champions League. The managing director Eugen Benzel expressed his disappointment with the league's decision not to recognize the economic performance despite an auditor's report being submitted rbb24 reported.

A look back at the successes

SC Potsdam can look back on sporting successes in recent years, including runner-up championships in 2022 and 2023 as well as winning the Super Cup in 2022. Despite these successes, the club has apparently not managed to ensure the economic stability required for licensing. A licensing decision dated June 18th highlighted inadequacies in the budget planning that are now bringing the club to its knees.

The outsourcing of gaming operations to SC Potsdam Sport & Marketing GmbH was also a strategic step after allegations of tax and social security fraud emerged. The latter affected the main club, which, however, is not in danger. The volleyball team remains active in the 2nd North League, while the first team is eliminated from Bundesliga play.

Licensing reforms

Amid this difficult situation, the Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) is implementing reforms in the licensing process to promote economically stable clubs. How volleyballer.de reports, the regulations on financial fair play have been further developed in order to create fair competitive conditions. The current measures include a cap on personnel costs as well as requirements for improving equity and budget planning.

This means that the general conditions for all clubs in the league have become stricter. Eight clubs have met the requirements for licensing, while some clubs, including SC Potsdam, have to overcome major challenges. The final licensing round will take place in September 2025 and will ultimately decide the competitiveness and future of many clubs in the league.