WBSC Europe President Kruno Karin Addresses Financial Stability and Future Plans in Latest Report

Significant progress has been made on the finances, fulfilling all commitments made in Malaga within three months after the Congress:

• Business Account: A dedicated business account has been successfully opened, moving away from the use of private accounts that had been regrettably used for the past years. 
• Interim Treasurer: Mr. Bjorn Thode has been appointed interim treasurer, with most financial responsibilities now delegated to him. 
• Transparency: WBSC Europe is committed to elevating accounting practices to a professional level, providing transparent monthly financial reports accessible on the website. 
• An investigation into potentially inappropriate activities over the past three years is underway, with bank statements from the old CEB account obtained for this purpose. 

2024 European Tournaments and New Initiatives
Significant efforts have been made in preparing for the 2024 European tournaments, with progress aligning with plans. The upcoming season promises to be exciting, with several new initiatives:

• BECC: For the first time, a league format was introduced in the Baseball European Champions Cup, following extensive discussions with member clubs and National Federations. The aim is for this competition to eventually integrate into the WBSC World Champions League.
• Marketing and Media: The Marketing and Media Commission is focused on monetizing tournaments. A five-year contract has been secured, guaranteeing a minimum of revenue. These funds will enhance streaming capabilities for local organizers. The initiative will promote paid tournament passes, with the potential for increased revenue and organizational strength in the future.

The President concluded the report with good wishes for a successful season.

The complete report can be found here.
The financial result of the first quarter of 2024 can be found here.

Cover photo by Grega Valancic