TSV 1860 München will play the upcoming Regionalliga season without its iconic lion crest after a trademark dispute with investor Hasan Ismaik forced the club to abandon the logo. The Bavarian side reverts to a historical elliptical crest last worn in 1911, with the FA emblem introduced in 1919 serving as an interim badge.
The dispute follows a turbulent period for the former Bundesliga club, which failed to cover a €2.7 million deficit and was forcibly relegated from the 3rd Liga. The newly formed operating company terminated its cooperation agreement with Ismaik in early June 2026, though the investor retains merchandising rights to the lion logo. The club will field a transitional kit without a manufacturer or sponsor in its Toto Cup match against Eintracht Berglern on Tuesday.
Striker Florian Niederlechner committed to the rebuild, signing a one-year deal through summer 2027. Fans who raised nearly €330,000 for shirt sponsorship will see those funds donated instead.