sportsdunia logo
Search Icon

Who are Borussia Dortmund Owners? A Detailed Look Into Borussia Dortmund Ownership History & Current Leadership

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund

Bundesliga / Germany

Borussia Dortmund, or known as BVB, based in Dortmund, is a historic Bundesliga club known for its world-famous fanbase and the "Yellow Wall" at their Signal Iduna Park stadium. But a question remains among football fans: who is the owner of Borussia Dortmund football club? While the club is a publicly-traded company, the club operates under Germany's "50+1 rule." This means that the majority portion of the club is owned by thousands of its members, holding the majority of voting rights, preventing any single investor from taking control. Remaining shares of the club are owned by different investors.
Financially, Borussia Dortmund has undergone a remarkable transformation. After facing near-bankruptcy in the mid-2000s, the club is now a model of financial management in Europe. Through efficient management and a clear business strategy focused on developing and selling elite young talent for huge profits, the club has become profitable in recent years. This, along with their massive matchday revenues and strong commercial partnerships, has ensured their competitive presence at German and European football.

Who are Borussia Dortmund Owners?

Borussia Dortmund’s ownership structure is a unique two-part system shaped by German football regulations. The parent club, Ballspielverein Borussia 09 e.V. Dortmund, is a traditional members association owned entirely by its 190,000+ members. This parent club holds 100% of the shares in a management company that runs the professional football team. This structure is protected by Germany's "50+1 rule," which requires that the member-owned parent club must always hold at least 50% plus one vote in the professional division, ensuring fans retain control and preventing any single investor from taking over.

While the members have voting control via the 50+1 rule, the financial equity of the publicly traded club is distributed among various shareholders. The member-owned parent club, BVB 09 e.V. Dortmund, holds a direct stake of approximately 4.41%. Other significant shareholders include private investor Bernd Geske (7.88%), main sponsor Evonik Industries (7.83%, approx.), SIGNAL IDUNA (5.72%, approx.), PUMA SE (5.09%, approx.) and Ralph Dommermuth Beteiligungen GmbH (4.81%, approx.). The largest portion, around 64.3%, is in "free float" on the stock market, which means that anyone from the public can buy those shares.

Borussia Dortmund Owners Personnel

Borussia Dortmund football club owners are the members of the club, whose ultimate control is guaranteed by Germany's 50+1 rule, similar to other traditional German clubs, where members have the final say in the club's direction and major decisions. The representative for the members is the club President, currently Dr. Reinhold Lunow. Meanwhile, Hans-Joachim Watzke oversees the club's overall strategic and administrative functions, with former club legend Lars Ricken working as the Managing Director for Sport.

Advertisement

Borussia Dortmund Members Primary Business

Owner of Borussia Dortmund fc are its members are involved in directing the club through their elected officials. Their earnings mainly come from the revenue generated by the club's own business activities, which include massive matchday revenue from Signal Iduna Park, broadcasting rights, strong commercial revenue, and high income from player transfers, often by developing and selling elite young talent. Here is the complete breakdown of Borussia Dortmund owners net worth.

Bernd Geske Net Worth

Bernd Geske is a German billionaire businessman and one of the most significant private shareholders in Borussia Dortmund, having been a key investor for many years.

Year Total Net Worth
2024$2.4 billion
2025$2.5 billion

Ralph Dommermuth Net Worth

Ralph Dommermuth is a German billionaire businessman and the founder and CEO of United Internet. He is another major individual shareholder in the club.

Year Total Net Worth
2024$2.1 billion
2025$2.2 billion

Evonik Industries AG Net Worth

Evonik Industries AG is a German specialty chemicals company. They are the long-standing main shirt sponsor and a key shareholder of Borussia Dortmund.

Year Total Net Worth
2024$11.2 billion
2025$11.5 billion

SIGNAL IDUNA Group Net Worth

SIGNAL IDUNA is a major German insurance and financial services company. They hold the stadium's naming rights and are a key shareholder.

Year Total Net Worth
2024$3.7 billion
2025$3.8 billion

PUMA SE Net Worth

PUMA SE is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories. They are the club's kit supplier and a shareholder.

Year Total Net Worth
2024$9.1 billion
2025$9.4 billion

Advertisement

Borussia Dortmund Owners History: From Past to Present

Borussia Dortmund was formed by a group of dissatisfied young men from the Catholic Holy Trinity youth group, who defied the local priest's hatred towards football. On December 19, 1909, they decided to start their own club, naming it "Borussia" after a local brewery. Over time, it has established itself as one of the most notable clubs in Germany as well as Europe.

Over its long journey, the club has had various personnel occupying leadership positions, leading the club on behalf of its member-owners. To date, the club has had numerous Presidents and Chairman. Borussia Dortmund's key founding father, Franz Jacobi, was their first Chairman. Jacobi led the initial group of 18 members who founded the club. Another towering figure is Dr. Reinhard Rauball, who took over the club leadership three different times for Dortmund. He is credited with saving the club from bankruptcy during his third term and is regarded by the fans for his immense contribution to the club's stability and success. He was succeeded by Dr. Reinhold Lunow, who previously worked as the club's treasurer. Initially, he took over on an interim basis but was then officially elected as the President.

Club PresidentTenure
Franz Jacobi1919-1910
Dr. Reinhard Rauball1979–1982, 1984–1986, 2004–2022
Dr. Reinhold Lunow2022-Present

Advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Borussia Dortmund Owners?

+

Borussia Dortmund's owners are its 190,000+ club members.

How much is the Borussia Dortmund Owner's Net Worth?

+

It can't be calculated since the club is owned by thousands of individual members.

Who are the major shareholders of Borussia Dortmund?

+

The major shareholders of Borussia Dortmund are Bernd Geske, Ralph Dommermuth, Evonik, Signal Iduna, PUMA, and the general public.

Who was the first owner of Borussia Dortmund?

+

The first owners of Borussia Dortmund were its 18 founding members in 1909, with Franz Jacobi serving as the club's first chairman.

What is the Borussia Dortmund owner's primary business?

+

Borussia Dortmund owners are its members, with them earning income through matchday revenue from Signal Iduna Park, broadcasting rights, commercial revenue, and income from player transfers.