Uli Hoeneß Advocates for Change in the 50+1 Rule in German Football

In a recent episode of the OMR Podcast, Uli Hoeneß, the honorary president and board member of Bayern Munich, shared his perspectives on the 50+1 rule governing German football clubs.

For those unfamiliar, the 50+1 rule stipulates that club members must hold a majority of voting shares, specifically 50% plus one vote, ensuring that fans maintain control over the club’s direction.

While Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg have exemptions from this rule, RB Leipzig operates in a manner that technically aligns with its principles, albeit bending the rules significantly.

During the podcast, Hoeneß remarked, “Sooner or later, the 50+1 rule has to be abolished in Germany. I am advocating for this without any personal gain, as I believe it could greatly assist various clubs in attracting international investments. I hope that Mr. Watzke, a firm opponent of this change, will eventually reconsider his position.”

The former president of Bayern, who played a pivotal role in transforming the club into a powerhouse, emphasized that such a change could be beneficial for other prominent clubs in Germany, particularly in enhancing their visibility and stature.

He further noted, “There is a persistent contradiction among clubs; they desire to compete in the Champions League while simultaneously wanting to preserve traditions that have been in place for decades. To achieve greater international success, a reevaluation of current practices is necessary.”

It is important to highlight that Hoeneß indicated this transformation would not be applicable to Bayern Munich, given the club’s significant financial advantages over its competitors. With minority investments from industry giants such as Adidas, Audi, and Allianz, alongside leading positions in Bundesliga television rights both domestically and internationally, Bayern does not face the same pressures as other clubs.