Rüdiger Fritsch, President, SV 98:
“Words cannot express what Software AG has achieved in its time as main sponsor of SV Darmstadt 98. The company got involved the club in 2008 at a precarious time in the club’s history. Software AG supported us through this challenging time and played a big part in helping us get to the position we are in today. Even in other difficult moments, such as during the 2017/18 relegation battle, Software AG made an important contribution to the club’s recovery with its early contract extension. Our sporting and financial turnaround has been closely linked to the support of Software AG. The company has also made its mark on other areas of the association and had a major social impact. We are therefore very happy that the partnership will continue, albeit on a different level, and that we will still have such a strong and reliable partner at our side.”

Dr. Benno Quade, Chief Operating Officer, Software AG:
“We are proud to have witnessed how the club, with the help of its fans and many other supporters, managed to avert insolvency and how, over the years that followed, considerable entrepreneurial foresight helped the club return to financial strength. Our more than ten years of partnership have made us feel closely connected to SV 98. At the same time, we believe that, due to the now completed infrastructure measures, the club has successfully turned around its fortunes to become an established club in professional football with a strong financial base. Thus, we consider our mission, as the main sponsor of SV 98 at least, to be complete. This does not mean an end to our journey, however, as the early contract extension ensures that we will, of course, continue to support SV 98 in the future. And we intend to tackle further exciting projects with the club, especially in the context of digital technology. Given the club’s recent great sporting successes, however, we consider it the best possible time for us to pass on the baton and make way for a new main sponsor, who will be just as strongly committed to SV 98 as we have been. We are sure that the SV 98, with their strong attendance figures, great popularity in the region, and excellent TV viewing figures, will offer an attractive platform for even more companies. Darmstadt and the region have become extremely attractive in recent years with the new stadium and fervent support for the club – colleagues from all over the world have enjoyed accompanying me to the home games.”

Software AG has been the main sponsor of SV Darmstadt 98 since the 2008/2009 season. During this time, the company has played a major role in the club’s continued development. The company’s support has not been confined to the professional football team, but has also extended to the SV 98 youth academy. Software AG also supported grassroots sports at the club and the club’s social responsibility campaign, “Im Zeichen der Lilie,” reaffirming its commitment to Darmstadt and supporting an important aspect of community life within the region. Starting from the 2023/24 season or, at the latest, the 2024/25 season, Software AG will support SV 98 at second sponsor level.