DEB fights creation of DEL II

Last summer, the 2.Bundesliga clubs got upset over the denied licence of Landshut and the way the situation around Tölzer Löwen Bad Tölz who at the time where Oberliga Champions. (see news here) At the time, the project had no real leader, the top clubs where all in for the idea but at the end of the day all clubs filed their paperwork with the ESBG and they went back to playing in the 2.Bundesliga.

This off-season, the 2.Bundesliga clubs have started to put up their biggest fight against the ESBG and the DEB, only two clubs, Riessersee and Kaufbeuren had filed their paperwork with the league for their new licence while the rest of the clubs are in on forming the DEL II. Unlike last season, Ernst Rupp, the manager from Heilbronner Falken has officially created the DEL II GmbH with other clubs investing their shares, all while this was going on, the ESBG continued to say they will not recognize any club who tries to leave the ESBG and play under the DEL II. The DEL, just like last year has said they would be willing to take the DEL II under their wing and guide them, opening up the doors for once again promotion and relegation between the leagues and pre-season test matches. Also wanting to get in on the action, Oberliga clubs Löwen Frankfurt and Kassel Huskies have both said that if anybody from the DEL II came calling, they would be glad to accept such an offer.

As the ESBG and 2.Bundesliga clubs had their meetings, no progress was made with the idea of them breaking away to form the DEL II. The ESBG first gave the clubs until the end of the month to comply and any club who didn't send in their paperwork for a licence, come June they would not recognize them and thus would not be allowed to play in International events such as Continental Cup and would never be able to sign players due to not getting their ITC (International Transfer Card.) However, a few days later, the DEB came out and stood beside the ESBG, gave their last and final warning to any club thinking about the DEL II. The DEB rejected the idea giving the clubs until June 7 to file their paperwork, any club who wishes to go against the DEB will classify them as unaffiliated organizations because they lack the legal connection to the DEB and thus to the IIHF as well.

Since the DEB decision, the 2.Bundesliga clubs have kept quiet about what they are planning to do. With the news coming, it will seem most clubs will just fall back in line while the top clubs will keep fighting, but of course, if the clubs really want to fight the DEB, they could just work really close with the DEL until if/when the DEB folds on its decision. Only thing is clear, we don't know what next will come until June 7.

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