FC Bayern has once again achieved sound financial results despite the drastic measures taken in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. CFO Jan-Christian Dreesen presented the balance sheets of the past two financial years at the annual general meeting on Thursday. “We have had a decline in turnover, but we earned money in both years, and that is a remarkable achievement. The result is black, that is an achievement without equal,” Dreesen said.
The club has suffered losses in revenue and profit due to COVID-19. The 2020/21 season was exceptional because, as is common knowledge, all matches at the Allianz Arena had to be played without spectators in attendance due to the pandemic, and the finals of the previous season’s DFB Cup and UEFA Champions League were played in this financial year. The associated shift in revenue and also costs had a significant impact on business results. The total turnover of the group in the 2020/21 season amounts to €643.9 million, generating a profit. This amounts to a pre-tax profit of €5.0 million. Post-tax it is €1.9 million.
“Sensible management and not spending more than we earn has contributed to the fact that we were still able to record a small profit,” Dreesen said, while also emphasising: “We have an equity ratio of 72.3% at FC Bayern München AG, which is probably unique in world football.” Overall, he said, FC Bayern would have up to €155 million less in revenue in the 2020/21 financial year alone due to coronavirus. However, the successes from the year 2019/20 have been able to absorb some losses here.
FC Bayern München AG CEO Oliver Kahn: “The pandemic has been an immense challenge for football. That is especially true for FC Bayern. We have had very few matches with a crowd at the Allianz Arena since 8 March 2020. Despite these circumstances, I believe that revenue and profit in the past financial year turned out well. Of course, the basis for that was our team’s great performance in the 2020/21 season, with the ninth Bundesliga title in a row being the highlight.”
Vice-chairman in charge of finances Jan-Christian Dreesen: “The coronavirus pandemic was and continues to be a great burden for the whole of football. Playing an entire season without spectators causes not only an emotional hole but also a very painful loss in revenue. The results achieved are therefore all the more positive against this background. The club is on solid foundations, which have been steadily strengthened in recent years and are now proving valuable in times of crisis. The impact of COVID continues to be a huge challenge and is currently difficult to assess for both domestic and international football. FC Bayern is expecting a reduced level of turnover for the 2021/22 financial year, which will of course be reflected in the results. However, all of us at FC Bayern are working with all our might to lead our club solidly through the crisis.
“Finally, I would like to express my special thanks to my colleagues on the executive board and also the supervisory board for their collegial and trusting cooperation, and to all our employees for their great commitment in these challenging times.”
Topics of this article