Bayern Munich Chief Executive Officer Oliver Kahn speaks during the club’s annual general meeting at Audi Dome, Munich November 25, 2021. — Reuters pic
BERLIN, Nov 26 — Bayern Munich’s turnover for the fiscal year 2020-21 was just over EUR640 million (RM3 billion), a sharp decrease from the pre-Covid-19 levels of more than EUR750 million, the club said on Thursday.
German Bundesliga champions for the last nine seasons, Bayern won six major titles in 2020 and although the Covid-19 pandemic affected their finances from March, 2020, the annual turnover was EUR643.9 million, with EBITDA at EUR98.4 million.
Bayern’s turnover for 2018-19, the last fiscal year not to have been affected by the pandemic, had topped EUR750 million.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer told the club’s annual general meeting the champions were in strong financial shape.
“We have no cent of debt, we own the Allianz Arena and the Bayern campus (training centre),” Hainer told the meeting.
“We are independent, going our own way, with our own strength. We are not being swept by this craziness out there,” he said.
“Look at what happens at some other clubs. Barcelona have over EUR1.3 bln in debt. Juventus also recently published shocking financial figures.”
Barcelona, who had to let club great Lionel Messi leave due to “financial and structural obstacles” have a debt of more than EUR1.35 billion.
Italian club Juventus posted a loss of more than EUR200 million for 2020-21.
“Bayern on the other hand are internationally competitive. We set standards and you, the members, can be proud of that,” Hainer said.
“I am certain that the pandemic with all the damages it causes can also offer chances. If we still stick to our values we will come out of it as winners.”
Bayern are leading this season’s Bundesliga title race and have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages. — Reuters