Bayern Munich has a unique and complex history, also during the Nazi era, when its Jewish president Kurt Landauer was forced to resign in 1933. The club has taken significant steps to acknowledge its past. However, one aspect remains absent.
Bayern's online logo archive lacks the emblem used from 1938 to 1945. This omission raises an important question: should Bayern include this logo and expand its historical narrative to provide a more detailed account of that era?
Bayern Munich's Jewish president had to resign in 1933 - Bayern was often referred to as the "Jewish Club"
Our article follows up on a controversial Instagram post of us, Footy Headlines, featuring the 1938–1945 Bayern Munich logo. We apologize for any confusion caused by it and try to cover it in detail with this article.
Bayern Munich’s Commendable Efforts to Address Its Role in the Nazi-Era
Bayern fans honor the club's Jewish president, Kurt Landauer, who was forced to resign after the Nazis took over.
Before and during the Nazi regime, Bayern Munich was often referred to as the "Jewish club," a label that originates from its significant Jewish connections. This identity was shaped by its association with Kurt Landauer, a Jewish president who played a pivotal role in the club's development. However, this reputation also brought challenges during the rise of the Nazi regime, as anti-Semitism became institutionalized in German society.
Bayern has already demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving and reflecting on its history
Bayern has already demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving and reflecting on its history. In 2017, the club partnered with the Munich Institute of Contemporary History (IfZ) to conduct a groundbreaking independent study on its role during the Nazi regime.
The research confirmed that, unlike many other clubs at the time, Bayern resisted full Nazi assimilation. While its Jewish president Kurt Landauer was forced to resign in 1933, interned in Dachau, and eventually fled to Switzerland, the club continued to maintain ties with him, even visiting him in exile in 1939 despite severe backlash from Nazi authorities. After the end of the Nazi Regime, in 1947, Landauer was re-elected as Bayern's president.
Bayern Munich was not completely opposed to the Nazi regime
However, the study also showed that Bayern Munich was not completely opposed to the Nazi regime, as several members of the leadership were already extreme Nazis before Hitler came to power in 1933.
Bayern’s historical initiatives, such as exhibitions, Holocaust Remembrance Day campaigns, and school programs, showcase its efforts to educate fans and the wider public about its history.
Bayern Munich's Website Does Not Display 1938–1945 Logo
Meanwhile, when we look at Bayern's website, we do not find much information about Bayern's history in the Nazi Era.
Bayern's logo history lacks more than half of the logos that existed, including the 1938–1945 one, but also many others
Also, the 1938–1945 logo is missing in the club’s online archive. Ten of the club’s at least 21 historic logos are displayed on its website, showcasing that Bayern does not exclude that particular logo but that it is just not a full history. Third-party sources, such as Football Kit Archive, provide a more comprehensive overview. Adding this missing piece could offer greater context for the club’s role during a challenging time and highlight its resistance to Nazi control.
Other Examples of German Football in the Nazi Era
German football and sports, in general, were a crucial part of the propaganda in fascist Germany. Only a few German clubs have let their role in the Nazi era be analyzed in detail.
Footy Headlines believes that including the logo with a detailed explanation would not glorify this period but instead strengthen Bayern’s transparency and leadership in addressing football’s historical ties to the Nazi regime.
Should Bayern add the historic 1938–1945 on its website and further embrace its legacy and lead the way for other clubs? Let us know in the comments below.