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Is the club seeking redemption through purchase?

Demoted Yet Still in the Picture: Hakro Merlins Crailsheim Could Join Easycredit Basketball Bundesliga's Relegation List This Year! As of Sunday, it's been confirmed that the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim have secured the second relegation spot behind Tübingen. In a surprising turn of events...

Crailsheim's James Murray-Boyles (right) in a duel with the Rostock Seawolves
Crailsheim's James Murray-Boyles (right) in a duel with the Rostock Seawolves

German Basketball League - Is the club seeking redemption through purchase?

The reason: Merlins can secure a wild card for a first division license by paying 700,000 euros, thus remaining in the league. A condition: Karlsruhe must lose in the promotion play-offs semi-final against Hagen (the series starts on Thursday).

Context: Karlsruhe is the sole club in their tournament tree segment to apply for a first division license.

In essence: If Hagen advances to the final, a BBL license would be obtained for free.

Crailsheim's sports director Ingo Enskat (51) at Dyn: "We're aware of the teams, dates, and opponents in the second division play-offs, as well as the opportunities that may arise."

However, the issue is that the wild card funds would then be unavailable for player salaries. The three clubs that previously purchased a spot were later relegated in the following season - even Crailsheim itself (2016). Gießen (2022) and Frankfurt (2023) also experienced relegation after buying their way into the league.

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Source: symclub.org

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