President Herbert Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, who had come from Munich, deputy CEO Michael Diederich, Berni and the championship trophy were on site when FC Bayern treated its fans in the USA to a special 4 July. On the national day of the United States, the German record champions staged a fan event at “Der Biergarten” in Atlanta. Hainer picked up on the historic day in his speech in front of more than 300 guests: “We’re celebrating three things with you today: FC Bayern celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, the fan club ‘Mia san Atlanta’ celebrates its 10-year existence – and it’s 4 July today. We’re very proud to be here with you!”
Hainer tapped the Paulaner keg with one blow and added that the club is at home in Munich and in Germany, “but we also want to be approachable internationally, and such a joint celebration for the people here on a special day is a great opportunity to grow together.” The entire pub was decorated with FC Bayern flags, and many fans came in jerseys and traditional costumes. Berni was a popular selfie subject and tirelessly available for hugs. Hainer, Dreesen and Diederich enjoyed the exchange with the fans and stayed for more than two hours. There was a serenade for the president one day after his birthday. Some fans – both German and American ones – had travelled a long way to be with FC Bayern in Atlanta – from California, Florida and New York, for example.
The way FC Bayern have been welcomed everywhere in the USA is incredible, Hainer said: “We’ve had fan events in Cincinnati, Miami, Charlotte, we followed in Gerd Müller’s footsteps in Fort Lauderdale – and now here: Thanks to you, FC Bayern is at home in the USA too! All of you here aren’t just fans, you’re part of our global FC Bayern family!” He concluded by saying ahead of the match against Paris Saint-Germain: “We’re counting on your support! We want to celebrate again tomorrow! In Germany, our fans sing: ‘Always keep going, FC Bayern’ – and that goes for Atlanta too!”
FC Bayern currently has 92 fan clubs with more than 6,500 members in the USA. A number of events have been staged so far at the Club World Cup, including two pub takeovers in Cincinnati and Charlotte, a fan club dinner organised by the Cincinnati fan club, a panel talk about fan culture with Borussia Dortmund hosted by the German Consulate General Miami, the touring exhibition “FC Bayern under National Socialism: Victims, Followers, Perpetrators” in Miami, a fan event with Paulaner at the Fritz & Franz Bierhaus in Miami, a regional fan club meeting in Fort Lauderdale – at the restaurant Gerd Müller once ran and that keeps the memories of the legendary forward alive to this day, like a museum.
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