Bayern pass 1bn euros in revenue after trophyless season

Bayern Munich announced on Sunday that their total annual revenue topped 1 billion euros for the first time, with the football club contributing 951.5 million euros (1.006bn dollars).

Chairman Herbert Hainer told the general meeting of the member-owned club, whose other activities include a basketball team, that the 2023-24 financial revenue of 1.017bn euros continued the growth of revenues which were 690m euros in 2021-22 and 882m euros in 2022-23.

Net profit increased by 21 per cent to 43.1 million euros, but that figure is below the club record total of 52.5m euros in the 2018-19 season, the last full one before the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are not only reaching a new record, but also a new dimension, into which Bayern has never gone before," said Hainer.

The club said they had enjoyed an explosion in membership numbers.

In February 2023, Bayern passed the 300 000-member mark and this year hit 382 000. Hainer said the club were aiming for 400 000 by the time the club, founded on February 27, 1900, celebrates their 125th anniversary.

The results come after a season in which Bayern won no trophies for the first time since 2011-12.

"This outstanding annual result shows that we continue to be one of the absolute top clubs in Europe in economic terms," CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said. "At the same time, however, it should not obscure the fact that we were not satisfied with a season without a trophy."

The club also announced they were retiring a shirt number for the first time, withdrawing the '5' worn as a player by former captain, coach and president Franz Beckenbauer, who died in January.

"Dearest Franz, you made this club what it is today, a byword for the greatest possible success, a unique style and profound humanity, as a player, coach, president and companion. You gave FC Bayern the charisma that continues to have an impact today," said Hainer. "We miss you."