End of an Era: Thorsten Leibenath Leaves Ratiopharm Ulm for FC Bayern Basketball

For those who have followed the Basketball-Bundesliga over the last decade and a half, Thorsten Leibenath is more than just an executive; he has been the architectural blueprint for Ratiopharm Ulm’s ascent. Now, in a move that reshapes the power dynamics of German basketball, Leibenath is departing Ulm to take the helm of sporting operations at FC Bayern Basketball.

The announcement, confirmed by the Munich-based club on Monday, marks a seismic shift for two of the league’s most prominent organizations. Leibenath will officially join FC Bayern Basketball as the new Managing Director of Sport (Geschäftsführer Sport) starting with the 2026-2027 season. He arrives in Munich following a 15-year tenure at Ratiopharm Ulm, a period during which he became the face of the club’s professional success.

I have covered leadership transitions across the NBA and EuroLeague for over 15 years, and rarely do you see a move that carries this much weight within a single domestic league. This isn’t just a personnel change; it is the migration of a proven winner from a developmental powerhouse to a global brand with championship expectations.

The Handover in Munich: Tarlac Steps Aside

Leibenath’s arrival in Munich comes as a result of a vacancy at the top of Bayern’s sporting hierarchy. Dragan Tarlac, the former NBA player and EuroLeague champion, has informed the club of his decision to step down as sporting CEO at the end of the current campaign. Tarlac cited personal reasons for his departure after two seasons with the club.

Tarlac’s tenure in Munich was defined by high-level achievement. After joining as sporting director in the summer of 2024 and ascending to the role of sporting CEO in July 2025, Tarlac helped lead Bayern to a successful title defense last year. His international pedigree, including his work with the Serbian national team, provided Bayern with a sophisticated approach to roster building and talent scouting.

With Tarlac exiting, FC Bayern Basketball is not merely looking for a replacement but a strategic evolution. By tapping Leibenath, Bayern is securing a veteran executive who understands the specific nuances of the Basketball-Bundesliga (BBL) and how to sustain excellence over a long horizon.

The Ulm Legacy: 15 Years of Stability

To understand why this move is so significant, one must look at what Leibenath built in Ulm. Spending 15 years with a single organization in the modern era of professional sports is an anomaly. During his time at Ratiopharm Ulm, Leibenath oversaw the club’s transition from a competitive regional team to a consistent contender on both the national and European stages.

Under his guidance, Ulm became known for its ability to identify and develop elite talent, often serving as a springboard for players heading to the NBA or the top tiers of the EuroLeague. His ability to balance the club’s financial sustainability with aggressive sporting ambitions made him one of the most respected figures in European basketball management.

For the fans in Ulm, Leibenath was the steady hand. For the league, he was the gold standard for how to run a mid-sized market club with big-market efficiency. Moving to Munich—arguably the only basketball location in Germany that rivals or exceeds Ulm’s impact—is the natural next step for an executive of his caliber.

Strategic Implications for the BBL and EuroLeague

The ripple effects of this transition will be felt across the league. FC Bayern Basketball is currently in a position of absolute strength; they enter the 2026 BBL Playoffs as the regular-season winners. However, maintaining that dominance requires a relentless pursuit of marginal gains in the front office.

Leibenath brings a specific expertise in “ecosystem building.” While Bayern already possesses the financial muscle and the infrastructure of the SAP Garden, Leibenath’s history suggests he can refine the pipeline between youth development and the first team, potentially reducing the club’s reliance on expensive external imports.

Meanwhile, Ratiopharm Ulm faces the daunting task of replacing a leader who has been central to their identity since 2011. The club will need to decide whether to promote from within or seek a disruptive new voice to lead them into the next era. The loss of Leibenath is a blow to their continuity, but it also opens the door for a fresh strategic direction.

FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball): 🚨 Sportchef Dragan Tarlac verlässt den #FCBB zum Saisonende, Thorsten Leibenath folgt nach. Mehr dazu: https://t.co/H7UnLcd6fD pic.twitter.com/sE08fhKem3 — May 11, 2026

The Immediate Horizon: Playoffs and Pressure

Despite the boardroom drama, the immediate focus for FC Bayern remains on the hardwood. The club is currently preparing for the opening series of the 2026 BBL Playoffs. Game 1 is scheduled to tip off this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Local time (14:30 UTC) at the SAP Garden.

For Leibenath, the timing of the announcement allows him to watch the current campaign unfold from the outside before officially stepping into his role for the 2026-2027 season. It provides a clean break from Ulm and a grace period to plan his first moves in Munich.

Bayern is also anticipating a coaching change, according to the club’s press release. This means Leibenath may enter his new role not just as the sporting CEO, but as the primary architect responsible for hiring the next head coach—a move that will define the team’s tactical identity for years to come.

As an editor who has seen the rise and fall of many sporting dynasties, I view this as a “power move” in the truest sense. Bayern is not just adding a manager; they are absorbing the intellectual property of their rival’s success. For Leibenath, it is a chance to apply his blueprint to a canvas with unlimited resources.

The Basketball-Bundesliga is entering a fascinating phase. With the playoffs beginning and a leadership shakeup at the top, the 2026-2027 season is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory.

Next Checkpoint: FC Bayern Basketball opens their BBL Playoff series this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (Local/CEST) at the SAP Garden. Stay tuned to EuroLeague and BBL official channels for roster updates following the season’s end.

What do you think about Leibenath’s move to Munich? Can he replicate the Ulm magic at a club as high-pressure as Bayern? Let us know in the comments below.