Bayern Munich chairman Herbert Hainer is not impressed by the investment regulations in the Bundesliga. Hainer therefore wants to abolish the so-called ‘50+1’ rule and close the gap with the Premier League.
Hainer has been at the helm of Der Rekordmeister for more than five years, and the 71-year-old chairman has now reignited one of the most sensitive debates in German football: whether the Bundesliga’s investment rules still make sense in a European landscape increasingly dominated by outside capital.
In his view, the league is limiting itself by continuing to apply the so-called 50+1 rule, a regulation designed to ensure that club members retain control. The rule requires the parent club to keep a majority of voting rights, effectively guaranteeing 50% plus one vote, and it has long been defended as a safeguard for tradition, supporter influence, and responsible governance.
Speaking at a congress, Hainer argued that the rule has become a competitive disadvantage, especially when German clubs are measured against the financial power of leagues with fewer ownership restrictions. “I’m convinced that ‘50 plus 1’ must be abolished and that every club should be able to decide for itself,” he said, presenting the issue as one of autonomy and strategic freedom. Hainer believes the current structure sends a cautious signal to investors who might otherwise inject substantial funds into clubs, but who hesitate because they fear losing influence over decision-making once they commit their money. From his perspective, this caution reduces investment appetite and slows the Bundesliga’s ability to modernize commercially and compete for elite players.
The 50+1 rule prevents external investors from acquiring a majority of the voting rights in German professional football clubs, and Hainer says that reality affects competition in the Bundesliga. Clubs that cannot access large-scale investment may struggle to close financial gaps, whether in wages, transfer fees, or long-term infrastructure development. That debate has only intensified over the years as football revenue has grown more global and as commercial income, brand power, and international broadcasting have become decisive factors in a club’s sporting strength. While supporters of 50+1 emphasize stability and identity, critics point to a market where rival leagues can move faster, spend more, and market themselves more aggressively.
There have been notable exceptions to the rule. Two were previously made for Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg, cases that are regularly cited in discussions about consistency and fairness within German football’s regulatory model. Those exceptions have fueled arguments on both sides: critics say they expose loopholes and unequal treatment, while defenders argue they are special historical circumstances that do not undermine the broader principle. For Hainer, the presence of exceptions reinforces his argument that the Bundesliga is already managing a complicated ownership reality and would benefit from a clearer, more flexible approach.
Despite his sharp criticism of the regulation, Hainer underlined that Bayern does not intend to abandon majority control. He stressed that the club wants to keep a majority stake and continue shaping its own direction. Bayern’s corporate structure is often presented as a hybrid model that combines strong commercial backing with member-led control, and Hainer pointed to that balance as a deliberate strategy. The club plans to hold at least seventy percent of FC Bayern München AG, while Adidas, Allianz, and Audi will each own 8.33 percent of the shares. This arrangement allows Bayern to benefit from major strategic partners without surrendering control of voting rights, reinforcing Hainer’s claim that removing 50+1 would not automatically mean clubs must be taken over, only that they should have the option to choose a different route if they believe it is necessary.
Hainer’s central argument is that the Bundesliga is falling behind the English Premier League, particularly in television income and international marketing. The Premier League’s global broadcasting reach and commercial strength have helped English clubs build deeper financial reserves, which can translate directly into sporting power through higher wage budgets, more expensive signings, and stronger squad depth. Hainer sees the gap as structural rather than temporary and believes the Bundesliga must respond by improving its attractiveness in the areas that determine modern football’s revenue growth. “The Bundesliga must become more attractive in these areas,” he demanded, framing the challenge as an urgent strategic priority rather than a long-term aspiration.
In essence, Hainer is calling for a shift in how German football thinks about competitiveness. He argues that protecting tradition and fan influence should not come at the cost of falling further behind the richest leagues, especially as international competition intensifies and revenue streams increasingly depend on global audiences. By advocating the abolition of 50+1 while simultaneously insisting Bayern will keep majority control, Hainer positions his proposal as a reform aimed at flexibility and market relevance rather than a push for outright privatization. The debate, however, remains highly charged, because any change to 50+1 would reshape the balance between member ownership, investor influence, and the long-standing identity of the Bundesliga.
Updated: 02:39, 28 Feb 2026
