On Wednesday 14 May, Bietigheim Steelers withdrew its license application for the DEL next season.

The current economic situation andshort time frame to prepare a team to play in the best German hockey league made it impossible for the club managers to find a viable long-term financing plan for the club's adventures in the DEL.

"It was chocie between heart and mind", said Steelers spokesman, Oliver Mayer, "and in the end common sense triumphed. In addition to the financial obstacles, the Swabians also had to find a new arena for the team as the team's own arena,  Stadon Físcherpfad does not fulfill DEL's requirement. Bietigheim sought to forge a deal sith the Stuttart Porache Arena, but the negotiations didn't lead to a desibrable outcome,

Commenting on the decision, Steelers' club president, Hans-Günther Neumann said: "We want the Steelers in DEL, but we don't want to carry the team to the grave"

As of next season, SC Biettigheim-Steelers will thus continie to play in the 2nd Bundesliga.