For some time now, Audi has been a shareholder of the German record football champions – FC Bayern. The Bavarian team currently has three shareholders: Adidas , Audi and Allianz, each holding 8.33 percent of the shares. Audi’s detained ex-CEO Rupert Stadler replaced former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn to the Supervisory Board of FC Bayern Muenchen.
According to a media report, BMW has been planing the change of guard of the premium rival. But the deal seems shattered. As the Bild reported on Sunday, BMW has launched an attack on the partnership between competitor Audi and Bayern. However, Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess could successfully prevent the poaching of the Munich car manufacturer.
Audi took over the role of the automotive sponsor from Open and since 2015, the existing contract calls for Audi as the exclusive main partner, next to Deutsche Telekom, Allianz and Adidas. The contract was extended until June 30, 2025.
Recently, BMW apparently saw an opportunity to join the FC Bayern and take the place of the rival Audi.
VW, however, got wind of it and started his turn a counteroffensive and according to German media, VW and Audi have prevailed. The same media says that the contract has yet to be signed, but the negotiations between FCB and Audi should already be completed. Neither carmaker wanted to comment on the current facts.
Volkswagen is involved in various sponsorship deals, partner contracts and also group subsidiaries in the majority of the Bundesliga football teams. BMW, however, focuses on motorsport, sailing, tennis and golf.
