"Security and defense are elementary pillars of our democracy, so we think it's the right decision to see how we can protect these pillars," Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said in a club statement entitled "taking responsibility" when the deal was announced.
"BVB (Dortmund) is a club from the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia which strives more than any other for top performance and international success," Rheinmetall board chairman Armin Papperger said, highlighting the alignment of ambitions between the two organizations.
The deal has generated significant backlash among Borussia Dortmund's members, with a non-binding vote showing that 556 of 855 members present voted against the partnership at the annual general meeting.
While Rheinmetall's logo is displayed prominently at various Dortmund venues, the firm's name does not appear on the players' kits or training gear, indicating a careful approach to public perception.
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