By Nils Bastek, dpa

Berlin (dpa) - A group of six Bundesliga clubs have called for a
change in how television money is distributed, saying the marketing
potential of teams should be taken into account.

VfB Stuttgart posted a statement online Wednesday and said they had
been joined by Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen, Eintracht Frankfurt,
SV Hamburg and Cologne in the group.

Presently television money is split between an even payment to all
clubs and then the rest being divided as prize money relative to
league position.

"The league position is only one criteria from several that plays a
role in determining how attractive a game is for fans and television
channels," Stuttgart president Bernd Wahler said.

"We need a third column. Whoever increases the worth of our communal
Bundesliga product, because they have many fans and a lot of public
interest, should be considered in the division of the income."

The six are notable for having large followings but have struggled
for success recently. Other clubs like Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen
have fewer fans but large corporate backing which has helped them
reach the Champions League spots.

Hoffenheim, another club with a smaller fanbase but with large
individual investment, reacted calmly to the potential reduction in
their income.

"The idea of the so-called tradtional clubs is not new," chief
executive Frank Briel said. "We will take our position to the
relevant bodies and make our view."

The group of six intend to make proposals which could alter the
distribution of cash from the next television deal which is to begin
2017.