Ingo Schiller Named Co-CEO and CFO of European League of Football, Will Succeed Zeljko Karajica as CEO After 2025 Season

Schiller will serve alongside current CEO and ELF co-founder Zeljko Karajica through the end of the 2025 season, after which he will assume full leadership of the league as its sole CEO. The transition has been unanimously approved by the ELF board and marks a significant shift in the league’s executive leadership as it prepares for a new phase of strategic growth.

Schiller, a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in sports management and finance, brings a wealth of expertise to the role. His career includes influential positions within the German football industry, including Head of Marketing at Borussia Mönchengladbach, as well as board roles at the German Football League (DFL) and the German Football Association (DFB). In 2023, Schiller founded his own consultancy firm, further expanding his portfolio in strategic and operational leadership across the sports sector.

In his dual role as Co-CEO and CFO, Schiller is expected to play a central role in shaping the future direction of the ELF, overseeing its financial operations and guiding long-term organizational strategy. His leadership will be instrumental in continuing the league’s rapid expansion across Europe and solidifying its commercial and athletic foundations.

Speaking on his appointment, Schiller expressed enthusiasm for the challenge: “I’m looking forward to this task because I see enormous potential in the European League of Football – both in terms of athletic development and commercial success. The league has grown rapidly and excites football fans around the world, yet it is still at the beginning of its journey. I’m highly motivated to actively help shape the ELF in this responsible role, in close coordination with the franchises and shareholders.”

Founded in London in 2001, the European League of Football is a professional American football league designed to grow the sport outside of its traditional North American heartland. The ELF has seen steady growth in recent years, highlighted by key partnerships and financial backing. In May 2023, the league secured a media partnership with Genius Sports, granting the company exclusive streaming rights. More recently, it received a substantial $10 million+ investment from David Gandler, the new owner of English football club Leyton Orient FC.

Zeljko Karajica, who has led the ELF since its inception, welcomed Schiller’s appointment and praised the transition plan. “I greatly appreciate having him at my side through the end of this season – and beyond that, the league’s leadership is in the best possible hands,” he stated.

The move signals a continued push toward professionalization and international expansion for the ELF, as it seeks to establish itself as the premier American football competition in Europe. With Schiller at the helm, the league aims to further elevate its competitive stature, commercial appeal, and operational sophistication.