TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is a club hated by many German fans almost as much as they hate Rasenballsport Leipzig. For some, perhaps even more. The reason is its origins: no long tradition, no big fan base and a recent record of success based, in their eyes, solely on the deep pockets of one man: the much vilified Dietmar Hopp.

Hopp is a local guy made good. He's from the small Hoffenheim community, a village/district of only around 3,000 people. In his youth, he played in the club's amateur teams. Then he made his fortune as co-founder of the now global SAP accountancy software firm. And he poured some of his wealth back into his boyhood club. Over €350m of it according to some reports.

The little Gymnastics and Sports Club's football team, which had since the club's foundation in 1899 played only in amateur lower leagues, thus suddenly shot up the German football pyramid. When Hopp first put money into the club in 1989, they were still playing in the eighth tier. By 2001, they were up to tier three, got promoted under Ralf Rangnick to the second-tier 2. Bundesliga in 2007 and, after just one season at that level, still with Rangnick at the helm, to the top-flight Bundesliga in 2008. By 2018, they were playing in the Champions League.

During this rapid rise, Hopp's shareholding in the professional division operating company (a spin-off from the actual club) grew to 96%. Under the 50+1 Rule, however, he didn't have control, as the rule states that 50% of the voting rights in the spun-off company, plus one further vote, must be held by the members' club. 

An exception to the 50+1 Rule allowing it to be waived where an individual or organisation has continuously provided financial support to all areas of a club over a period of 20 years was exercised in 2015, then giving Hopp 96% voting rights in line his shareholding. Following criticism of this exception clause by German competition law authorities in 2021, Hopp announced he was giving his voting rights back to the club, which its members' meeting accepted in 2023.

So, for all the hate that comes his way, I personally can't get too het up about Herr Hopp. He's a local boy made good. He's ploughed millions into the club, and he's given his voting rights back to the members. In my book, there are far worse club owners around than him.

Oh, by the way: of course he also funded the building of the club's stadium. The previous one and the current one. The latter no longer being in Hoffenheim itself, as the club had outgrown the place. So, it's now on the edge of Sinsheim, the town of which Hoffenheim is but adjoining village.

For information on getting to the stadium, travel to and around Hoffenheim/Sinsheim, and on places to eat, drink and stay, use the respective links above to the relevant pages on this site.

For more background history on the club and latest news, use the external links below.