Mr. Fritsch, has there ever been anyone in the SV Darmstadt 98 team who earned more than a million euros a year?

No.

Will there be one or more in the upcoming first division season?

No.

Despite a probable licensed player budget of around 25 million euros?

They mentioned the number. When it comes to the squad as well as the coaching and support staff, we're basically talking about 35 to 40 people. Of course, our players have staggered contracts according to league affiliation. In the Bundesliga there will be more, in the third league there would be correspondingly less remuneration. By the way: The costs increase in about the same proportion as the additional income. If we go into the season with the aforementioned sum, we will be an estimated 20 to 30 million euros behind our nearest competitors – depending on who will be promoted with us, of course.

How often will you mention this again during the Bundesliga season, for example, when it says: "Setback in the relegation battle" or "Darmstadt's away weakness continues"?

It should be clear that it is a Herculean task and can then be described as a miracle again to keep the first league with Darmstadt 98. But that doesn't matter. We don't see ourselves as tourists on a Bundesliga trip. As athletes, we like to be challenged and talk about it.

In their first reaction after the ascent, they directly demanded "respect for Klein-Darmstadt". There seemed to have been a lot of pent-up with you...

... yes. The tenor that the "lilies" did not represent an enrichment for the Bundesliga, to put it mildly, was something I heard a few times too often. I defend myself against this lack of respect. In general, there is always a demand for balanced competition – and this is obviously the case in the second division. Because we certainly don't have the biggest budget, the biggest stadium, the biggest economic substance, but we've been able to position ourselves well in recent years. In it you can see that you can make up for a lot with the famous virtues such as fighting and team spirit. On the other hand, how can you say that it's a big deal of crap that clubs like Darmstadt 98 are coming up? Consequently, however, they should also promote the American model of closed leagues with selected franchisees without promotion and relegation.

Why are the "Lilies" an asset to the Bundesliga?

We were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2015 and relegated in 2016 as an ugly duckling with underground conditions at all levels. In the following seven years, we have developed a clear profile and are an example of how much can be achieved with a sense of community and seriousness. That's what we embody. The fan landscape in Darmstadt is also great, the stadium is smaller, but extremely atmospheric. Darmstadt 98 has a lot to offer. If you don't believe it, you can come by.

If you get a ticket for a Bundesliga game. Because that should be difficult in view of only 17,800 seats at the Böllenfalltor?

That's probably true.

For the first time in years, the club is no longer putting off large and expensive infrastructure projects. Is it still important for you that everything can be restored to second division conditions without accidents after a possible short first league guest appearance? Or are you now taking a more offensive financial approach?