VfB Stuttgart

The story of VfB Stuttgart begins not on a football pitch, but in a hotel in Cannstatt on April 2, 1912. It was there that two local clubs, Stuttgarter FV and FC Krone Cannstatt, merged to form the Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart. The founders were primarily school pupils from middle-class backgrounds, initially focused on rugby before association football became the club's main pursuit. This foundation laid the groundwork for one of Germany's most storied football clubs. A pivotal moment in the club's modern history occurred on June 1, 2017. Following a vote by its members, VfB spun off its professional football department into a separate public limited company, VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG. This strategic move was designed to professionalize operations and attract external investment. The first major investor was Stuttgart-based automotive giant Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz Group), which acquired an 11.75% stake for €41.5 million. More recently, the club solidified its financial and strategic future through a unique 'Weltmarkenbündnis' or global brand alliance. In January 2024, fellow Stuttgart automotive powerhouse Porsche AG also became an investor, acquiring an initial 5.49% of shares with plans to increase its stake. This alliance of two competing global brands, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, investing in their local club is a distinctive model in professional football. It has provided significant financial stability, allowing the club to strengthen its squad and infrastructure while being firmly rooted in its regional identity.