Several Bundesliga clubs are calling for reforms to the controversial 50+1 rule. According to “Welt am Sonntag” based on a survey of all 36 clubs in the first and second Bundesliga, 18 teams participated in the poll.
Klaus Filbry, Chairman of the Management of Werder Bremen, stated that while he is “fundamentally sympathetic” to the 50+1 rule, it is evident that the economic conditions in international football have changed dramatically. He pointed out that while other leagues possess significantly greater funding capabilities and access to capital, Bundesliga clubs have felt competitive pressure for years. Filbry insisted, “We need an honest assessment of 50+1”.
Bayer Leverkusen took a more aggressive stance, openly questioning the basic logic of the rule. The club contended that in its original form and intent, 50+1 is outdated, given that all affected clubs currently operate as commercial enterprises. Leverkusen argued that without the rule, investments in the league from outside sources would have been much higher than they are today. Instead of requiring a majority of voting rights to protect football culture, they suggested that specific, inviolable rights-such as concerning the club’s name, colors, and ticket prices-could be granted to the fans, even if they do not hold a majority of shares.
VfL Wolfsburg noted that the clubs are entirely autonomous, free to maintain their current path or allow an investor to take over, even if the 50+1 rule is abolished. Meanwhile, other clubs, including Köln, Dortmund, and Stuttgart, wish to remain unchanged. Negotiations between the German Football League (DFL) and the Federal Cartel Office regarding potential improvements to the rule are currently underway.
