Ekhbary News Agency
Munich — The insolvency proceedings against TSV 1860 München's former operating company, KGaA, officially commenced this Tuesday, a decision handed down by the Munich District Court. This critical step saw attorney Max Liebig appointed as the insolvency administrator, initiating a new chapter for the venerable football club.
Club Reclaims Valued Brand Rights
Following the procedure's opening, the regional league club successfully reacquired its crucial brand rights from sports investor Hasan Ismaik. The preliminary creditors' committee, previously chaired by Liebig, approved an offer from the 1860-Spielbetriebs-GmbH, the entity under which the traditional club is currently restructuring after parting ways with the Jordanian investor. This move permits the club to once again use the name "TSV 1860 München" and allows its players to proudly display the iconic lion crest bearing "1860," a symbol they have utilized since the 1970s.
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Background to the Financial Dispute
The club had been forced to use an older, oval logo at the season's start due to an ongoing dispute over merchandising rights with Hasan Ismaik, who had co-financed the club since 2011. Persistent disagreements regarding Ismaik's co-determination rights led him to halt payments repeatedly in June, which ultimately prevented the Munich team from securing a third-division license and resulted in their relegation to the regional league. Ismaik held a sixty percent stake in the now insolvent KGaA, making this separation a significant development. As it happens, this signals a clear path forward for the club's identity. "The lion is back — this is a strong signal for our fans, our partners, and the entire club," stated 1860-President Gernot Mang, reflecting the widespread relief. The regional league side intends to soon invite all creditors, including thousands of fans who purchased season tickets for the unplayed third-division season, to register their claims. The purchase price for the brand rights remains confidential, according to club statements. Additionally, the acquisition aims to retain employees, including the U19, U21, and former professional player squads still tied to the KGaA. Discussions are also underway to repurchase training grounds, though a final agreement is pending.
