German clubs have always had close ties to sponsors, you've had fricken Bayer Leverkusen in the league for many years, plus all the other teams who are a step away from being a sporting branch. The Germans really are the European version of the Japanese.
Having said that, the whole Red Bull thing is a joke now. It might be acceptable in new markets like the US or whatever but taking over notable clubs went beyond that, as is the case for Austria Salzburg (and would be for Udinese).