License gone: League boss rejects Potsdam's accusations

The Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) has reacted with incomprehension to accusations following the withdrawal of the SC Potsdam women's volleyball team. "We have a very long licensing process with numerous deadlines in which certain requirements must be met," managing director Kim Oszvald-Renkema told the German Press Agency. "The VBL licensing committee has seriously considered all the options that would have been available. I can well understand the disappointment that things will not continue at this location. However, I have no sympathy for the accusations that have been made."

On Thursday evening, it was announced that Potsdam was withdrawing from the Bundesliga. The club withdrew its license application for the 2025/26 season and thus avoided having its license revoked.

The club leveled accusations against the league. "The Volleyball Bundesliga was even presented with an auditor's certificate confirming the conclusiveness of the economic viability for next season," said managing director Eugen Benzel, adding: "I cannot understand the league's actions. The damage is immense." As a consequence, the match operations company would have to file for insolvency.

Potsdam has had problems for some time

The Potsdamers have been one of the top teams in the Bundesliga in recent years, finishing runners-up in 2022 and 2023 and reaching the cup final several times. However, the club has also had financial problems for some time. Frequent improvements had to be made for the license. Points were deducted by the league.

Oszvald-Renkema does not see a major crisis looming for the league, which was supposed to return to full strength this year. "A lot of positive things are happening in the Bundesliga right now. We have gained many new partners. Even though we would have preferred to play with twelve teams, we have two more than last year," said the 38-year-old. "Many clubs are developing well and stabilizing."

For top-class sport in Brandenburg, however, it is the next setback after the first league relegations of Turbine Potsdam footballers and VfL Potsdam handballers.