ELF: Helvetic Guards gone, new Swiss franchise set to launch

The European League of Football has announced that the owners of the Helvetic Guards have folded the franchise and that a new ownership group is in place and will be announcing a new name and team logo and colors shortly.

ELF Managing Director Zeljko Karajica:

“Of course, it’s a pity that the Helvetic Guards’ journey in the ELF is coming to an end. On the other hand, we are happy to be able to offer football fans in Switzerland a franchise in the upcoming 2024 season. The new owners are highly motivated and there is no doubt that they will field a strong team.`”

The ownership group of the new Swiss franchise has been working diligently behind the scenes and has already filled two key positions: Chris Rummel, Head of Finance and Player Development for the Swiss American Football Association (SAFV), has been appointed Managing Director, while Matt Hammer has been named  Director of Sports. Both were previously involved with the Guards.

Patrick Esume, ELF Commissioner:

“As a league, we ensure that all franchises have a level playing field when building their organization by setting a salary cap for the roster and limiting the number of import players. How they do that and what personnel decisions they make is the responsibility of the owners. I am convinced that supporters in Switzerland can look forward to a competitive team.”

Chris Rummel:

“Football is an important part of my life, and I am very happy to be able to play my part in ensuring that Switzerland will have a team in the biggest and most important European league. We will announce the name and logo of the franchise as well as the coaching staff and roster in the coming weeks.”

The ELF will open its fourth season on May 25 and will remain a 17 team league which includes the new Swiss franchise as well as the Frankfurt Galaxy, Hamburg Sea Devils, Berlin Thunder, Cologne Centurions and Stuttgart Surge from Germany, the Wroclaw Panthers (Poland) and the Barcelona Dragons from Spain, the seven founding members of the league who are entering their fourth season. The defending champions, the Rhein Fire (Germany), along with the Vienna Vikings and the Raiders Tirol from Austria are entering their third season, while France’s Paris Musketeers along with the Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary), Prague Lions (Czech Republic), Milano Seamen (Italy) and the Munich Ravens (Germany) will be playing their second ELF season . They will be joined this year by the new Madrid Bravos from Spain.