MUNICH, Germany — For the first time in 124 years, TSV 1860 München, known affectionately as die Löwen (the Lions), faces the very real prospect of dropping out of professional football entirely. The club, a cornerstone of Bavarian football and a three-time German champions, now finds itself locked in a high-stakes legal and financial battle with the German Football Association (DFB) that could see it relegated to the fifth-tier Regionalliga Bayern as early as this summer.

In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung published Tuesday, club investor Hasan Ismaik offered a rare glimmer of optimism, stating, “I think we’ll stay in the 3. Liga”. But behind that cautious statement lies a web of unanswered questions, tight deadlines, and a legal process that remains far from resolved. What follows is a detailed breakdown of how this crisis unfolded, why it matters for German football, and what the Lions must do to survive.

How Did TSV 1860 München Get Here?

The road to this precipice began long before the 2023-24 season. For years, 1860 München struggled with financial instability, a common story across German football’s lower tiers. But the club’s troubles reached a critical juncture in December 2023, when the DFB’s licensing committee opened an investigation into the club’s financial health ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Key issues included:

• Unpaid debts: Records show 1860 München owed approximately €2.8 million to creditors, including unpaid wages and social security contributions for staff.