Bundesliga clubs and the DFL divided on the implementation of a salary cap in German football to make it more fair

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·21 January 2026

Bundesliga clubs and the DFL divided on the implementation of a salary cap in German football to make it more fair

With Bayern Munich dominating the Bundesliga, Sport Bild (via @iMiaSanMia) has asked directors from clubs as well as the DFL about the prospect of a salary cap in the league.

The Rekordmeister are currently 11 points clear of the Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and have comfortably beaten teams who are fighting at the top of the table like RB Leipzig (6-0, 5-1), Bayer Leverkusen (3-0), VfB Stuttgart (5-0) as well as big wins against Wolfsburg (8-1) and Freiburg (6-2).

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This has resulted in questions being raised about the competitiveness of the Bundesliga. Sport Bild asked for comments from officials from Bundesliga clubs about whether it hurts the league.

Werder Bremen CEO, Klaus Fillbry:

“The solutions are obvious: a salary cap and a fairer distribution of TV revenue would really help. The implementation is the difficult part”

Eintracht Frankfurt board member and former CEO Axel Hellman:

“Bayern Munich have built their dominance, both on and off the pitch, over decades. It didn’t come about because investors are constantly pumping money into the club behind the scenes. That’s why I’m completely against regulatory measures or interventions like a salary cap, for example. Currently, you could only introduce that domestically anyway. That means Bayern would effectively need two squads – one for domestic and one for international competitions. That’s absurd. However, it’s undeniable that this dominance isn’t good for the Bundesliga and its perception, because it lacks excitement at the top. And it will only increase in the future; there will be even more 6-0 or 8-1 scorelines”

Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke:

“This season, their dominance is extreme, that’s true. But let’s look back: in 2023, we had a title race right up to the last matchday, in which we ultimately let the trophy slip away. In 2024, Leverkusen became champions. So it’s not as if it’s always been a one-horse race for Bayern in the recent past. It’s obvious: when a club can pay significantly higher salaries than all the other clubs and then uses that money very effectively, it’s difficult to break that strength. For me, Bayern Munich currently have the best team in Europe, and that’s naturally reflected in the Bundesliga.”

Bayer Leverkusen manager of sport Simon Rolfes:

“We need to improve. If we succeed in doing that, we’ll get closer. That’s our goal”

DFB sporting director and former Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler:

“Two years ago, Bayer Leverkusen dominated everything. Now it’s FC Bayern. You have to take your hat off to them for how they’re doing it. Not just the way they’re playing, but also replacing the players who are out – that’s truly exceptional. But you can’t complain about that. It’s just the way it is this year; the title will certainly be decided relatively early. Bayern will often be champions over the next ten years, but it’s not as if it always has to be this way. Other clubs will certainly get closer again”

While the magazine also approached the DFL for comment on the matter, and they revealed their support for a salary cap:

“Regarding the international marketing of the league, we know from our international partners that an exciting title race, top stars with global appeal, strong club brands, and international success for clubs and the national team are the key success factors. In the past three seasons, there have been two different German champions in the Bundesliga, a title decider in the final quarter of an hour of the last matchday, and usually excitement until the end of the season, including in the battle for European qualification and relegation. In the Bundesliga, as in the entire European football system, competitive balance remains one of the key issues – influenced by numerous factors, including revenue from international competitions. In recent months, the DFL and German clubs have clearly spoken out in favor of an absolute salary cap, which would promote the competitive balance of all European football”

Would a salary cap work in the Bundesliga?

While a salary cap may help close the gap between the clubs within the Bundesliga, internationally, it would be detrimental for clubs and their performances in Europe. German clubs already struggle trying to maintain pace with the Premier League, but this would heavily affect the currently slim chances of that now.

It would also have an impact on the ability to market the league internationally, as players such as Harry Kane and Michael Olise would not move to the league, and you would be unable to keep Jamal Musiala, too.

However, the conversation changes if it was a salary cap implemented throughout Europe.

The other point raised is the distribution of TV money more evenly. This would provide more money for clubs at the bottom and in some way help close the gap caused by the club’s recieving regular Champions League money, which in itself has created its own mini league at the top of the Bundesliga.

In turn, the more even distribution should be able to help teams at the lower end of the table raise their ‘floor’ and ‘ceiling’, whilst it would also help improve the international marketing of the league, causing more viewers, and then resulting in more TV money too.

Obviously, the continued growth of the Premier League bubble makes it difficult for more and more teams across Europe to compete in their domestic leagues.

GGFN | Jack Meenan