Swipe at BVB, standing ovations for Uli Hoeneß

Despite renewed financial losses in the wake of the corona pandemic, the Bundesliga Croesus FC Bayern Munich made millions in profits in the past championship season. At its annual general meeting in Munich on Saturday evening, the record German soccer champion reported sales of EUR 665.7 million for the entire group in the 2021/22 financial year. According to the financial report, the surplus after taxes was 12.7 million euros.

“This is a strong result. There is hardly any other top European club that, like FC Bayern, has been able to report consistent profits over the past three years despite the pandemic,” said CFO Jan-Christian Dreesen. The deputy chairman of the board announced the figures for the last time in front of the members. He will vacate his post next summer. The 55-year-old leaves the club after ten years. He did not want to extend his expiring contract again.

The largest income items were sponsoring and marketing with almost 225 million euros. On the expenditure side, as usual, personnel costs top the list at almost 325 million euros. The equity of FC Bayern München AG was given as just over 500 million euros.

Compared to the previous year, sales and profits increased. However, the Bavarians are still a long way from the record figures from the 2018/19 financial year – before the outbreak of Corona: At that time sales were 750.4 million euros and profits were 52.5 million euros. In view of the positive financial data, club president Herbert Hainer allowed himself a dig at the biggest Bundesliga rivals, saying: "Borussia Dortmund has been in the red for the third time in a row."

Hainer, on the other hand, was submissive to the members before his upcoming re-election. After greeting Honorary President Uli Hoeneß, who was celebrated with standing ovations and shouts of "Uli", Hainer declared himself a "servant of the association". The 68-year-old apologized for "mistakes" he made during last year's meeting, which he annoyedly canceled over the Qatar sponsorship dispute. "We all know that this evening was not a glorious day for our club," said Hainer.

"Our club is a role model throughout Europe," said the former Adidas boss, who, in addition to the sporting and economic successes, emphasized the social role of the largest German sports club with 295,000 members. "FC Bayern is an influencer," said Hainer. The financially strongest Bundesliga soccer club will “never become a footballing group”, promised the President, who called out to the fans and members: “My heart is beating red!”

Coach Julian Nagelsmann and professionals Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman were also present in the hall before the home game this Sunday evening against SC Freiburg. They then headed home to applause from the members.