FCB in profit for 17th year in a row

The 2008-9 season was below-par on the field of play, but despite the lack of silverware, the global financial crisis and a recession, the equivalent fiscal year was an exceptionally good one for Bayern. In the reporting year from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, Germany’s biggest football club once again turned in impressive figures, operating at a profit for the 17th successive year.

“Given the economic background relating to the year in question, I think we’re justified in being extremely satisfied,” Finance Director Karl Hopfner told 4,741 club members gathered in Hall C1 at the Munich Exhibition Centre for Friday evening’s Annual General Meeting.

FC Bayern München AG posted turnover of €268.7 million, down slightly from last year’s record level (2007-8: €286.8 million) due to decreased transfer activity, but profit after tax rose some 20 percent to €2.5 million (2007-8: €2.1 million). Operating profit (Ebitda) rose to €45.0 million (2007-8: €42.0 million). FC Bayern München AG boasts equity capital totalling €177.5 million (2007-8: €176.0 million).

Majory tax contribution

A similar trend applied to the figures presented for the FC Bayern München AG group (consolidated accounts for FC Bayern München AG and Allianz Arena München Stadion GmbH). The profit after tax was the same as for FC Bayern München AG at €2.5 million, (2007-8: €2.1 million) on turnover of €303.8 million (2007-8: €328.4 million). Operating profit (Ebitda) was €65.5 million (2007-8: 75.4 million).

The record results benefit not only the group and the club, but also the community as a whole, as Bayern paid a total of €90.5m in communal, state, and federal taxes last year, “or around a third of every Euro in income,” Hopfner pointed out. “This figure indicates Bayern’s major contribution to the communal good.“

The members’ club, FC Bayern München e.V., also enjoyed a highly satisfactory financial year, Dr. Fritz Scherer reported. “We’re very pleased with the results,” the vice-president said after announcing a profit of some €940,000. “Our club is in a healthy financial position. The club is in good shape.” The members’ club reported further new records from the membership and fan liaison department. On 30 June 2009, the club had 151,229 registered members (2007-8: 147,072), and the number of official fan clubs rose from 2,437 to 2,535 boasting a total of 181,688 fan club members (2007-8: 176,976).

New shareholder

After presenting the latest set of results, Hopfner reported on Audi AG’s new commitment to FC Bayern, whereby the automobile manufacturer from Ingolstadt will acquire a shareholding in FC Bayern München AG ultimately totalling 9.09 percent. Audi will transfer the total investment of some €90 million in three steps up to the agreed final date of 31 March 2011.

Following the final transfer and an associated increase in capital from today’s €25 million to €27.5 million, 81.82 percent of the shares in FC Bayern München AG will be held by FC Bayern München e.V., 9.09 percent by Audi, and 9.09 percent by adidas.

“These additional funds will largely be used as repayments on the Allianz Arena, so our stadium will be free of debt considerably earlier than originally planned,” announced chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“Our results at the end of the current season will again be positive,” Hopfner said, although the actual figures will be significantly influenced by the senior team’s performance in the Bundesliga and in Europe. In his final statement as general manager before taking over as president, Uli Hoeneß expressed confidence in the future of the club. “It is very important to me to be handing over the club in a sound financial condition. We have laid a solid foundation for the future, and I’m very pleased indeed with that.”