Walter Mennekes to step down as junior vice-president – executive committee names Marko Pesic as successor

The annual general meeting on 21 November will see a personnel change in the FC Bayern München eV executive committee: Walter Mennekes, 78, has informed president Herbert Hainer and senior vice-president Dr. Dieter Mayer that he wishes to step down from his position as the German record champions’ junior vice-president on 20 November. In accordance with the club’s articles of association, the executive committee has appointed Marko Pesic, the 49-year-old long-serving managing director of FC Bayern Basketball and an honorary member of FCB, as his successor. According to the articles of association, the nomination must be confirmed by the members at the AGM on 21 November. Pesic, like Mennekes, will be responsible for the club’s sport divisions.

Herbert Hainer: “On behalf of the whole club, I would like to sincerely thank Walter Mennekes. He has carried out the post of junior vice-president with his unique humanity, vitality and passion for 10 years. Walter was more than a functionary: in his role, he has particularly driven forward the development of our sport divisions. With his warmth, humour, vigour and extraordinary approachability, he is a popular figure in our club. With the handover to Marko Pesic from within the FC Bayern family, we are continuing the process of rejuvenating the club’s leadership. Marko knows FC Bayern well from his many years at the helm of our basketball team. He understands what this club is all about, and he embodies both fresh impetus and tried-and-tested approaches to achieving the greatest successes. Marko represents the next generation, further setting the course for the future – while at the same time ensuring continuity within the club.”

Walter Mennekes: “It has been a unique honour for me to serve FC Bayern alongside figures such as, first, Uli Hoeneß and, later, Herbert Hainer. This club and its people have grown particularly dear to my heart. It is not only the sportsmen and sportswomen but also the staff, members and fans who make FC Bayern what it is. I told the executive committee quite openly that I would step aside once a successor was in place, which is now the case with Marko Pesic. My credo has always been: without grassroots sport, there can be no elite sport – and without elite sport, there can be no grassroots sport. It has been a great pleasure for me to support young people in their development within our divisions. For me, a chapter of my life is coming to a close – one that I would never want to have done without. A special thank you to Herbert Hainer and my colleague Dieter Mayer for the many years of trusting collaboration. Responsibility ends, passion lives on, friendship remains!”

Marko Pesic: “First of all, I would like to thank the executive committee for the trust they have placed in me by nominating me for this post. The role of junior vice-president of FC Bayern is a great honour for me and, at the same time, a great responsibility. On 21 November, the members will make their decision, and I approach this decision with the utmost respect. I have had the privilege of being responsible for basketball at FC Bayern for almost 15 years, and during that time I have learned a great deal about this club, its people and its culture. I would like to bring this experience and all my passion to bear for this extraordinary club. For me, this is not about changing proven methods, but about working together with those in charge to create the conditions that will enable FC Bayern to continue developing in both grassroots and elite sport. This club has an extraordinary tradition. It is our responsibility to preserve it while shaping the future.”

Mennekes has been an FC Bayern member since 1993. He joined the advisory board in December 2009 and was elected junior vice-president in 2016. During his tenure, the Sauerland-born businessman has been responsible for FC Bayern’s constantly growing divisions as well as the important area of child protection. He has also been a valuable supporter of the FCB physical activity project ‘ZAM AKTIV’ and the cross-club initiative ‘Red against Racism’. Throughout the years, FC Bayern has consistently recorded record growth in its membership figures.

After around 15 years at the helm of FC Bayern Basketball, Pesic stepped down of his own accord from his post as managing director of the six-time German champions last year. However, the former German international remained with the club thereafter, most recently as an adviser to the executive committee. Pesic joined as sporting director for the 2011/2012 season; following the spin-off into FC Bayern München Basketball GmbH in October 2014, he served as managing director of sport, and from mid-May 2019 held sole responsibility as CEO. Key milestones of his tenure include the club’s promotion to the status of the only German club with an A licence and a shareholder in the EuroLeague in August 2021, the installation of the world’s largest permanently fitted video glass floor at BMW Park, and finally the move to the SAP Garden in October 2024. At the 2025 AGM, Pesic was appointed an honorary member of FC Bayern upon his departure, to prolonged applause from the members.