Swiss CEO Tatjana Haenni defends RB Leipzig against commercial accusations

Swiss CEO Tatjana Haenni defends RB Leipzig, calling accusations of commercialism cynical and short‑sighted. She made the remarks while addressing criticism of the club’s business approach. Haenni has a background in women’s football, where she fought against a lack of interest. Her experience there shaped her view on the sport’s commercial development. At RB Leipzig she is the first female managing director in the Bundesliga. Her appointment marks a milestone for gender representation at the top level of German football. In her role she drives growth for the club, focusing on expanding its commercial activities and fan base. The club’s progress under her leadership is presented as evidence of successful business strategy. Haenni argues that labeling the club’s actions as purely commercial overlooks the broader objectives of professional sport. She describes the criticism as short‑sighted. She also explains why moving from women’s football to the men’s game was the right decision for her career. The transition, she says, allows her to influence a larger platform. Looking ahead, Haenni says she will continue to work on RB Leipzig’s development and promote sustainable growth in German football. Her future plans focus on balancing commercial success with sporting ambition.