DÜSSELDORF, Germany — Key German soccer clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen and Leipzig, could soon see a shift in how their operations are controlled as a regulatory body steps in.
The Federal Cartel Office, Germany’s antitrust regulator, announced on Monday its objective to strengthen the rule known as 50-plus-1. This rule mandates that club members hold the majority voting rights regarding the management and affairs of soccer clubs.
Focus on Leverkusen
The regulator highlighted that recent European court decisions imply that permanent exemptions from the 50-plus-1 rule for clubs like last year’s champion Leverkusen and Wolfsburg may no longer be viable. Efforts should be undertaken to bring the professional soccer operations of these clubs under the control of their member organizations. However, no specific deadline for these changes was mentioned.
Leverkusen and Wolfsburg originally started as sports teams for workers at major corporations—Bayer and Volkswagen, respectively. Due to these longstanding affiliations, they were initially granted exemptions from the 50-plus-1 rule.
The regulator’s statement also calls for the German men’s soccer league to ensure that clubs provide fans the chance to become full members with voting rights. While Leipzig wasn’t directly named, this likely addresses the club’s relationship with Red Bull. Founded by Red Bull in 2009, Leipzig belongs to a global network of clubs under the brand. It provides voting rights to a significantly smaller number of members compared to typical German soccer clubs, with only 23 eligible voters reported last year.
Responses from Clubs
Bayer Leverkusen described the Federal Cartel Office’s new stance as a “notable change of course.” The club expressed skepticism about the regulator’s rationale and plans to review the decision, considering all legal avenues.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, the executive board speaker for the league, reaffirmed the league’s commitment to the 50-plus-1 rule, describing it as a fundamental component of German soccer.
The Importance of 50-plus-1
Control by club members prevents external investors from outright purchasing clubs, a situation common in the English Premier League and other leagues. This rule has played a role in maintaining the balance and community ties within German soccer, in contrast to the monumental investments and competitive shake-ups seen at clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, or Paris Saint-Germain.
Fans often argue that the rule preserves the local essence of clubs while still allowing measured investment. For instance, Adidas is one of the minority shareholders that contributes to member-controlled Bayern Munich’s success, while Borussia Dortmund’s shares are publicly traded.
Fan influence extends beyond club management in Germany. The league withdrew last year’s plan to sell a stake in its media revenue following fan protests.
A Gradual Transition
Although the regulator’s stance might eventually bring change to the administration of certain top clubs, such modifications are likely to be gradual. The regulator’s scrutiny of German men’s soccer has been ongoing for approximately seven years, resulting in only minor adjustments so far.