Now that the landmark agreement between the European League of Football and the European Football Alliance has been officially announced, the full details of the deal reveal just how transformative this new partnership will be for the future of the sport in Europe.
While the initial announcement confirmed the ELF would continue operating with its current branding and structure, the specifics show a complete overhaul of the league’s financial and governance models—a total victory for the coalition of top franchises that formed the EFA.
Franchises become owners
The core of the agreement centers on equity and economics. For the first time, EFA member clubs will collectively hold 20% ownership in the ELF itself, transforming them from mere participants into genuine stakeholders. Revenue sharing has also been radically restructured, with franchises now receiving 75% of league revenues—triple the previous arrangement.
Financial stability measures include guaranteed profit sharing for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, full coverage of playoff travel expenses by the league, and a commitment to settle all outstanding payments owed to franchises.
Governance gets real power
Beyond the financial terms, the agreement grants franchises something they’ve never had before: real decision-making power. The EFA secured formal authority over league operations, budget approval, working groups, and strategic planning—addressing what had been a central point of contention in the previous structure.
The deal also clears the league’s previous leadership entirely, with the former majority owner diluted and removed from all operational and decision-making roles. Current minority shareholders will recapitalize the league and assume historical liabilities, protecting franchises from past financial exposures.
A sustainable future
With expansion fees from new teams now being shared equally between the league and franchises, and with real governance authority in place, the agreement creates a sustainable model for growth. The compromise ultimately preserves the ELF brand and infrastructure that fans recognize while fundamentally reshaping the business behind it—proving that sometimes the best deal is one where everyone leaves the table feeling like they won.
