TSV 1860 München e.V. has officially repurchased its traditional crest and reintegrated its playing squads following the opening of insolvency proceedings against its operating company, according to a press release issued by court-appointed insolvency administrator Dr. Max Liebig on Tuesday.
Insolvency Proceedings Unlock Crest and Squad Acquisition
Following the formal opening of insolvency proceedings on Tuesday morning, the preliminary creditors’ committee approved a formal acquisition offer submitted by Turn und Sportverein München von 1860 e.V. and the newly established TSV München von 1860 Spielbetriebs-GmbH. The transaction brings the club’s iconic lion crest, its operational staff, and all remaining active players under the direct control of the e.V. and its new operating entity.
According to the official announcement, the purchase covers personnel from the U19, U21, and former professional squads who remained under contract with the insolvent KGaA. Financial terms and the final purchase price for the rights and contracts were kept confidential under a mutual agreement between the involved parties.
President Mang and CEO Probst Cite Strong Signal for Fans
Club leadership hailed the agreement as a vital milestone for the traditional Munich outfit following a turbulent period marked by the team’s relegation to the Regionalliga. In a joint statement published by the insolvency administrator, 1860 President Gernot Mang and Spielbetriebs-GmbH Managing Director Thomas Probst addressed the breakthrough.
“We are pleased that, after long and extensive negotiations, we have succeeded in reaching an agreement,” Mang and Probst said in the release. “This brings the brand rights and the team under the roof of the club and its operating company. The lion has returned—that is a strong signal for our fans, our partners, and the entire club.”
Restoring the Crest and Securing Match Operations
Because ownership of the historical brand rights previously sat with the insolvent KGaA, the side played the current season wearing an alternative badge as a precaution. The team temporarily wore the historic FA crest that the club utilized between 1899 and 1911. While the repurchase secures legal possession of the traditional lion logo, commercial exploitation and the exact timeline for when the crest will reappear on player kits or retail merchandise remain subject to the resolution of remaining legal formalities.
The restructuring effectively insulates the core football operations under the umbrella of the e.V. and its new operating company, allowing matches and daily training to proceed without disruption while insolvency administrator Dr. Liebig winds down the legacy KGaA and its accumulated debts.
Unresolved Questions Surrounding the Training Grounds
While the acquisition of the player contracts and brand rights marks a major step forward, administrative tasks remain. The formal announcement noted that discussions regarding the long-term use of the club’s training facilities are ongoing. Although a provisional arrangement has permitted the e.V. to utilize the grounds since the start of pre-season preparations, final operational and legal details regarding the site must still be settled within the framework of the ongoing insolvency proceedings.
Investor Status and Potential Legal Confrontations
The structural overhaul effectively removes investor Hasan Ismaik from active control of the club’s operations. Ismaik retains his 60 percent shareholding in the KGaA, but those stakes are rendered practically valueless due to the lack of playing rights and the ongoing insolvency liquidation.
However, legal challenges may still lie ahead. In an interview with BR24Sport, insolvency expert Dirk Eichelbaum warned that the club should prepare for potential courtroom friction stemming from recent months. “The investor has armed himself with a very litigious lawyer who is not known for compromises,” Eichelbaum told BR24Sport. “That could get colorful.”
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