The Board
The Board is a panel of experts from business, sports and academia. It meets once a year at Lake Tegernsee and works throughout the year on the structural questions that shape the sports industry, with a focus on finance (such as revenue streams, cost structures and sustainable investment allocations), innovation (including business model innovation, new forms of value creation and technological impact) and governance (covering management, integrity, regulation and decision making structures).
Its work follows a central principle: professionalization can only succeed when the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders are considered, such as sport organizations, athletes, fans and the broader economy.
The Board Members
The Board Members
Dr. Michael Diederich
Michael Diederich is Global Co-Head of the Corporate Bank at Deutsche Bank. He previously served as CFO and Deputy CEO of FC Bayern München, where he strengthened the club’s financial governance and long-term strategic positioning. Earlier, he was Spokesman of the Management Board at UniCredit Bank. He studied business administration, including at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Dr. Michael Diederich
Global Co-Head of Corporate Bank, Deutsche Bank
Dr. Michael Diederich
Michael Diederich is Global Co-Head of the Corporate Bank at Deutsche Bank. He previously served as CFO and Deputy CEO of FC Bayern München, where he strengthened the club’s financial governance and long-term strategic positioning. Earlier, he was Spokesman of the Management Board at UniCredit Bank. He studied business administration, including at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Dr. Michael Diederich
Global Co-Head of Corporate Bank, Deutsche Bank
Tanja Dorr
Tanja Dorr is a Partner at FGS Global in Munich, advising companies on strategic positioning, media relations, and capital markets communications, with a focus on technology, mid-sized businesses, and sports and entertainment. She previously worked on Munich’s Olympic bid and gained professional and academic experience in Germany, Belgium, and Canada. She studied political science, business administration, and Chinese studies at LMU Munich and the University of British Columbia.
Tanja Dorr
Partner, FGS Global
Tanja Dorr
Tanja Dorr is a Partner at FGS Global in Munich, advising companies on strategic positioning, media relations, and capital markets communications, with a focus on technology, mid-sized businesses, and sports and entertainment. She previously worked on Munich’s Olympic bid and gained professional and academic experience in Germany, Belgium, and Canada. She studied political science, business administration, and Chinese studies at LMU Munich and the University of British Columbia.
Tanja Dorr
Partner, FGS Global
Gerrit Meier
Gerrit Meier is Managing Director, Head of NFL International, responsible for the league’s global expansion outside the United States. Prior to joining the NFL, he worked in international media and strategy roles in the sports and entertainment sector. He also serves on the supervisory board of SV Werder Bremen. He studied at Harvard Business School and brings extensive experience in international market development and sports governance.
Gerrit Meier
Managing Director, Head of NFL International
Gerrit Meier
Gerrit Meier is Managing Director, Head of NFL International, responsible for the league’s global expansion outside the United States. Prior to joining the NFL, he worked in international media and strategy roles in the sports and entertainment sector. He also serves on the supervisory board of SV Werder Bremen. He studied at Harvard Business School and brings extensive experience in international market development and sports governance.
Gerrit Meier
Managing Director, Head of NFL International
Henrik Herr
Henrik Herr is Head of Wealth Management Germany at Rothschild & Co. He began his career at Deutsche Bank as a Private Banking adviser before joining Credit Suisse, where he led Northern Germany, and later founded and managed the Austrian business, including Eastern Europe. From Zurich, he then oversaw Wealth Management for Germany and Austria, completed executive training including the CEO Program at INSEAD, and brings a strong personal passion for sport, particularly the NFL.
Henrik Herr
former Head of Wealth Management Germany, Rothschild & Co
Henrik Herr
Henrik Herr is Head of Wealth Management Germany at Rothschild & Co. He began his career at Deutsche Bank as a Private Banking adviser before joining Credit Suisse, where he led Northern Germany, and later founded and managed the Austrian business, including Eastern Europe. From Zurich, he then oversaw Wealth Management for Germany and Austria, completed executive training including the CEO Program at INSEAD, and brings a strong personal passion for sport, particularly the NFL.
Henrik Herr
former Head of Wealth Management Germany, Rothschild & Co
Walter Sinn
Walter Sinn is Chairman for Germany and Austria at Bain & Company, after previously serving as Managing Partner for the region. He advises leading corporations on corporate strategy, transformation, and performance improvement across industries. Within Bain, he contributes to Bundesliga benchmarking and sports-related strategic initiatives, reflecting his strong professional and personal interest in sport. He studied business administration and brings extensive experience in growth and organizational excellence.
Walter Sinn
Chairman for Germany and Austria, Bain & Company
Walter Sinn
Walter Sinn is Chairman for Germany and Austria at Bain & Company, after previously serving as Managing Partner for the region. He advises leading corporations on corporate strategy, transformation, and performance improvement across industries. Within Bain, he contributes to Bundesliga benchmarking and sports-related strategic initiatives, reflecting his strong professional and personal interest in sport. He studied business administration and brings extensive experience in growth and organizational excellence.
Walter Sinn
Chairman for Germany and Austria, Bain & Company
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Junge
Sebastian Junge is Deputy Professor of Corporate Management at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. He studied and earned his doctorate at DHBW Mannheim, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and FAU. His research focuses on leadership traits and perception, innovation behavior, corporate resilience, and succession in family businesses, publishing in journals such as the Journal of Management. Driven by a strong personal passion for sport, he has also contributed to stadium infrastructure projects in German professional football.
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Junge
Deputy Professor, Chair of Corporate Management, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Junge
Sebastian Junge is Deputy Professor of Corporate Management at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. He studied and earned his doctorate at DHBW Mannheim, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and FAU. His research focuses on leadership traits and perception, innovation behavior, corporate resilience, and succession in family businesses, publishing in journals such as the Journal of Management. Driven by a strong personal passion for sport, he has also contributed to stadium infrastructure projects in German professional football.
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Junge
Deputy Professor, Chair of Corporate Management, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is goalkeeper and captain of FC Bayern München, a multiple Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League winner, and a World Cup champion with the German national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he has shaped modern positional play at the highest level. Following his playing career, it is a personal priority for him to help make European sport structurally future-proof.
Manuel Neuer
Goalkeeper and Captain, FC Bayern München
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is goalkeeper and captain of FC Bayern München, a multiple Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League winner, and a World Cup champion with the German national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he has shaped modern positional play at the highest level. Following his playing career, it is a personal priority for him to help make European sport structurally future-proof.
Manuel Neuer
Goalkeeper and Captain, FC Bayern München
Pablo Longoria
Pablo Longoria is President of Olympique de Marseille, having previously served at the club as Sporting Director. Earlier in his career, he held roles at Juventus, Valencia CF, Atalanta and Sassuolo, building expertise across Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1. Since taking office, Marseille has qualified for European competitions four times in five seasons, reached record sponsorship and ticketing revenues, and consistently filled the 65,000-seat Stade Orange Vélodrome.
Pablo Longoria
President, Olympique de Marseille
Pablo Longoria
Pablo Longoria is President of Olympique de Marseille, having previously served at the club as Sporting Director. Earlier in his career, he held roles at Juventus, Valencia CF, Atalanta and Sassuolo, building expertise across Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1. Since taking office, Marseille has qualified for European competitions four times in five seasons, reached record sponsorship and ticketing revenues, and consistently filled the 65,000-seat Stade Orange Vélodrome.
Pablo Longoria
President, Olympique de Marseille
Monika Nickl
Monika Nickl is a Managing Director at Lincoln International, advising clients on mergers and acquisitions with a focus on technology, digital platforms, and growth sectors. She has led numerous successful international transactions across the technology landscape, including several deals in the emerging sports tech space. Through her involvement with CSBT, she aims to further advance this field and connect innovation with the sports industry. She holds a master’s degree in business administration.
Monika Nickl
Managing Director, Lincoln International LLC
Monika Nickl
Monika Nickl is a Managing Director at Lincoln International, advising clients on mergers and acquisitions with a focus on technology, digital platforms, and growth sectors. She has led numerous successful international transactions across the technology landscape, including several deals in the emerging sports tech space. Through her involvement with CSBT, she aims to further advance this field and connect innovation with the sports industry. She holds a master’s degree in business administration.
Monika Nickl
Managing Director, Lincoln International LLC
Frank Robens
Frank Robens oversees the sports division at RTL Group, managing the group’s sports rights, production, and strategic development across broadcast and streaming platforms. He plays a key role in expanding the sports offering of RTL+, shaping its competitive positioning in the streaming market. Over more than two decades within RTL, he has led major rights acquisitions and live production formats. He studied business administration in Cologne and combines media leadership with strong commercial expertise in sport.
Frank Robens
EVP Sports, RTL Group
Frank Robens
Frank Robens oversees the sports division at RTL Group, managing the group’s sports rights, production, and strategic development across broadcast and streaming platforms. He plays a key role in expanding the sports offering of RTL+, shaping its competitive positioning in the streaming market. Over more than two decades within RTL, he has led major rights acquisitions and live production formats. He studied business administration in Cologne and combines media leadership with strong commercial expertise in sport.
Frank Robens
EVP Sports, RTL Group
Prof. Dr. Martin Kupp
Martin Kupp is Professor of Strategy and Leadership at ESCP Business School. His research focuses on corporate strategy, innovation, and organizational transformation, including sports-related strategy projects such as the build-up of a Formula 1 team in cooperation with Bain & Company within CSBT. He serves on the executive board of The Case Centre and is among its Top 50 best-selling case authors globally. He studied business and management in Germany and France.
Prof. Dr. Martin Kupp
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, ESCP Business School
Prof. Dr. Martin Kupp
Martin Kupp is Professor of Strategy and Leadership at ESCP Business School. His research focuses on corporate strategy, innovation, and organizational transformation, including sports-related strategy projects such as the build-up of a Formula 1 team in cooperation with Bain & Company within CSBT. He serves on the executive board of The Case Centre and is among its Top 50 best-selling case authors globally. He studied business and management in Germany and France.
Prof. Dr. Martin Kupp
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, ESCP Business School
Maximilian Mainka
Maximilian and Dominik Mainka are brothers with a background in business administration and entrepreneurs who co-built a consulting boutique focused on inbound market entry. Their work centers on value creation and growth, supporting strategic expansion and long-term development. After a structured deep dive with more than 60 european C-level executives in sports and finance, they combined their business expertise and extensive sports network to co-initiate CSBT with Manuel Neuer, aiming to strengthen the structural foundations of European sport.
Maximilian Mainka
Co-Founder, CSBT
Maximilian Mainka
Maximilian and Dominik Mainka are brothers with a background in business administration and entrepreneurs who co-built a consulting boutique focused on inbound market entry. Their work centers on value creation and growth, supporting strategic expansion and long-term development. After a structured deep dive with more than 60 european C-level executives in sports and finance, they combined their business expertise and extensive sports network to co-initiate CSBT with Manuel Neuer, aiming to strengthen the structural foundations of European sport.
Maximilian Mainka
Co-Founder, CSBT
Dominik Mainka
Maximilian and Dominik Mainka are brothers with a background in business administration and entrepreneurs who co-built a consulting boutique focused on inbound market entry. Their work centers on value creation and growth, supporting strategic expansion and long-term development. After a structured deep dive with more than 60 european C-level executives in sports and finance, they combined their business expertise and extensive sports network to co-initiate CSBT with Manuel Neuer, aiming to strengthen the structural foundations of European sport.
Dominik Mainka
Co-Founder, CSBT
Dominik Mainka
Maximilian and Dominik Mainka are brothers with a background in business administration and entrepreneurs who co-built a consulting boutique focused on inbound market entry. Their work centers on value creation and growth, supporting strategic expansion and long-term development. After a structured deep dive with more than 60 european C-level executives in sports and finance, they combined their business expertise and extensive sports network to co-initiate CSBT with Manuel Neuer, aiming to strengthen the structural foundations of European sport.
Dominik Mainka
Co-Founder, CSBT
Francesco Calvo
Francesco Calvo is President of Business Operations at Aston Villa FC, appointed in 2025 after senior leadership roles at Juventus FC, FC Barcelona and AS Roma, where he drove commercial growth and revenue strategy across domestic and international competitions. He studied business administration at Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi and brings extensive experience from top European football leagues.
Francesco Calvo
President of Business Operations, Aston Villa Football Club
Francesco Calvo
Francesco Calvo is President of Business Operations at Aston Villa FC, appointed in 2025 after senior leadership roles at Juventus FC, FC Barcelona and AS Roma, where he drove commercial growth and revenue strategy across domestic and international competitions. He studied business administration at Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi and brings extensive experience from top European football leagues.
Francesco Calvo
President of Business Operations, Aston Villa Football Club
Prof. Dr. Ansgar Zerfaß
Ansgar Zerfaß is Professor of Strategic Communication at Leipzig University, where he leads research on corporate communication, reputation management, and digital transformation. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential scholars worldwide in his field, with publications shaping both academic research and professional practice. His work highlights how organizations create trust and legitimacy—an area from which sport, often underestimating strategic communication, can significantly benefit.
Prof. Dr. Ansgar Zerfaß
Professor and Chair of Strategic Communication, Universität Leipzig
Prof. Dr. Ansgar Zerfaß
Ansgar Zerfaß is Professor of Strategic Communication at Leipzig University, where he leads research on corporate communication, reputation management, and digital transformation. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential scholars worldwide in his field, with publications shaping both academic research and professional practice. His work highlights how organizations create trust and legitimacy—an area from which sport, often underestimating strategic communication, can significantly benefit.
Prof. Dr. Ansgar Zerfaß
Professor and Chair of Strategic Communication, Universität Leipzig
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christina Reuter
Christina Reuter holds the Chair of Sustainable Production Systems at the Technical University of Munich. Alongside her academic role, she brings extensive experience in business and governance, serving on several supervisory boards and advising companies on strategy and transformation. Driven by a strong personal passion for sport, she is also a member of the supervisory board of Bundesliga club SV Werder Bremen. Reuter is a former competitive dressage rider.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christina Reuter
Professor and Chair of Sustainable Production Systems, TUM School of Engineering and Design
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christina Reuter
Christina Reuter holds the Chair of Sustainable Production Systems at the Technical University of Munich. Alongside her academic role, she brings extensive experience in business and governance, serving on several supervisory boards and advising companies on strategy and transformation. Driven by a strong personal passion for sport, she is also a member of the supervisory board of Bundesliga club SV Werder Bremen. Reuter is a former competitive dressage rider.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christina Reuter
Professor and Chair of Sustainable Production Systems, TUM School of Engineering and Design
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