Bavarian refreshments were served on Saturday ahead of the evening’s top-of-the-table clash with Bayer Leverkusen and Sunday’s annual general meeting at BMW Park (from 10:30 CET) as FC Bayern organised an exclusive Weißwurst breakfast at the venue. The executive committee, led by Herbert Hainer, Professor Dr Dieter Mayer and Walter Mennekes, board member for sport Max Eberl, as well as other directors and employees, were available to 200 members, who were selected from over 1,000 registrations, for discussion and suggestions.
After a welcome by Benny Folkmann, the club’s managing director, and introductory remarks by the president, the club management took over two hours to talk, take photos and sign autographs before heading to the Allianz Arena for the match against Leverkusen. In addition, the club bosses and employees, as well as Hildegard Müller from the advisory board, were available throughout the morning to answer questions and listen to suggestions of all kinds. In recent years, it has proven beneficial to meet with members in this setting in the run-up to the AGM, explained Hainer: “We want to know what moves people, and we always take valuable ideas back with us to Säbener Straße.”
Hainer: “Can once again be proud in this anniversary year”
We can “once again be proud in this anniversary year,” Hainer stated. “In sporting terms, we celebrated the Bavarian treble: we became champions in men's and women's football and in basketball, which has never happened before. Looking at our men's football team, we marvel at Harry Kane, are thrilled by Lennart Karl, admire Manuel Neuer's latest work. And above all I think that the early extension of the collaboration with Vincent Kompany was an important indication that something is developing here. Max Eberl, credit to you and Christoph Freund for this deal.”
Video: Breakfast with club management
While other clubs have outside investors, FC Bayern is not dependent on anyone, Hainer continued. “We are independent and stand together. In short: Mia san Mia! For our DNA and our philosophy, my dear members, there is no transfer fee and no price tag. You either have it or you don't.” The record growth in membership in recent years did not happen by itself: “We are approachable, we are a family – that's not just a cliché. That's what sets us apart from other international clubs. We embrace dialogue and exchange with our members, which is why I am looking forward to this morning with you. Enjoy. And here's to good conversation.”
Following the 2021 annual general meeting, the club developed a wide variety of dialogue formats for its members, ranging from exclusive regulars' tables in Munich, away and international meet-ups in cities such as Hamburg, Leipzig, Cologne and Salzburg, to future workshops, quiz nights, darts tournaments, active sporting events and card games.
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