ELF and EFA agree to reunify European American Football

AFI | American Football | 11/26/2025

The European League of Football (ELF) and the European Football Alliance (EFA) have reached a strategic cooperation agreement to reunify professional American football in Europe beginning with the 2026 season. This agreement creates a transparent, team-led governance model designed to reinforce stability, consistency, and long-term growth throughout the sport.

Unified Governance Focused on Stability and Growth

Under the new structure, teams and shareholders will jointly oversee league operations through a Board of Governors, responsible for:

• League-wide planning and budgeting

• Competition format and licensing

• Media rights and commercial strategy

• Responsible expansion across European markets

• Standardized transparency, reporting, and independent auditing

This shared leadership model aligns incentives across markets and prioritizes competitive integrity, financial reliability, and product quality for all stakeholders.

Shareholder Support and Leadership Transition

ELF and EFA acknowledge and thank the investment group led by 885 Capital, Oakvale Capital, D2D4, and Gandler Sports Group for their continued support and constructive participation in shaping the unified governance model. Their commitment provides a strong foundation for a professionally operated league.

ELF and EFA also thank Zeljko Karajica for his role in building the current platform and acknowledge his decision to step aside from league governance and operations as the organization transitions to a more collaborative structure.

The reunification process was significantly shaped by the work of Ingo Schiller, acting on behalf of the ELF following the leadership transition, whose efforts in rebuilding dialogue, resolving structural barriers, and framing the new governance model helped make today’s agreement possible.

Benefits for Fans, Players, Coaches, and Partners

• For fans: a stable, reliable lineup of competitive teams and a schedule you can count on, with stronger broadcast standards and a better game-day experience across Europe.

• For players and coaches: a stable league with consistent rules and services, reliable operations, and a stronger platform to develop and showcase talent at the highest level.

• For sponsors and partners: a more coordinated Europe-wide network, the ability to scale partnerships across the full league, reliable standards and delivery, and a long-term vision.

We compete on the field, while off the field we’re one team growing this sport in Europe.