Hainer: Establishing a “Women’s DFL” as an “Option”

FC Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer can envision a professionally managed and independent league in women’s soccer as well. It may be “alternative, a clear form of this new organization may have to be developed as part of a good idea,” Hainer said in an interview with the media group “Munich Merkur tz”. Former Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge advised those in charge of the women’s Bundesliga to think about “they may not want to establish a type of women’s DFL”.

Men’s soccer has shown that spinning into an independent game operation “makes sense and you can achieve a lot with that decision,” Hainer agreed. After the founding of the German Football Association, the Bundesliga became “more professional and more interesting”. Hainer also emphasized that his club is working “as best as possible” with the German Football Association, which is currently responsible for the women’s Bundesliga. “Everyone involved is still aware that action is needed in many areas,” said the Bayern president.

The record attendance of 23,200 fans at last weekend’s Bundesliga opener between Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich should not be a “flash in the pan”, Hainer stressed. He mentioned next Sunday’s home game against Werder Bremen, which was “sold out for the day”, “unprecedented”. Now it is important “to maintain the excitement of this great EM and the general enthusiasm for women’s football so that it can be felt throughout the season – and beyond”.