Bayern Munich execs want 50+1 rule gone

"The 50+1 rule should be abolished. Every club should be able to decide for itself what it wants to do. Herbert Hainer has reiterated our stance recently. We're of the opinion that every club should be able to decide for itself what to do. We need a strong and competitive Bundesliga to stay motivated and push ourselves."

"The 50+1 rule is a regulation that ensures club members (not outside investors) retain majority control of their clubs. The parent club (the registered members' association) must hold at least 50% plus one voting share of the professional football entity. That '+1' guarantees majority decision-making power. In Germany, the rule applies to clubs in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga."

"The 50+1 rule was introduced to prevent full takeovers by private investors, protect clubs from reckless financial speculation, preserve fan influence and club traditions, and maintain competitive integrity. German football culture emphasizes that clubs belong to their members and supporters, not billionaires or corporations like you might find in England, France, or Italy."

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer and CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen have publicly criticized Germany's 50+1 rule, which requires club members to retain majority voting control over professional football entities. Hainer stated the rule should be abolished to allow clubs autonomous decision-making. Dreesen echoed this position, emphasizing Bayern's need for a competitive Bundesliga and suggesting other top clubs should have similar freedom. The 50+1 rule was established to prevent private investor takeovers, protect against financial speculation, preserve fan influence, and maintain competitive integrity. This ownership model reflects German football culture prioritizing member and supporter control over billionaire ownership common in other European leagues. Currently used only in Germany, Austria, Norway, and Sweden, the rule may face pressure for change despite potential fan resistance.

Read at Bavarian Football Works