Darmstadt sponsors donate rights in tribute to late fan

German Bundesliga football club Darmstadt 98 has renamed its stadium in a tribute to supporter Jonathan Heimes, who died of cancer earlier this year.

The ground will be known as Jonathan-Heimes-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for the remainder of the 2016-17 season. Science and technology company Merck, which holds naming rights to the stadium, has agreed to donate its rights.

“We were ready and willing to make this gesture and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to do so in agreement with all parties,” Kai Beckmann, a Merck board member, said.

Darmstadt’s main sponsor, IT company Software AG, has also agreed to forgo its front-of-shirt branding rights for one match next year on the anniversary of Heimes’ death.

The team’s jerseys will instead display the logo of Dumusstkämpfen, a non-profit organisation Heimes set up with German tennis player Andrea Petkovic. Darmstadt will auction off the limited edition kit, with the proceeds to be donated to Dumusstkämpfen, which provides support to young cancer sufferers.

Heimes passed away in March at the age of 27. Darmstadt had a close relationship with Heimes, who was a guest of honour at the club’s promotion celebrations in May last year.

Darmstadt will play its first game at the renamed stadium against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.