Bayern Munich Smash Half A Billion Turnover Mark

German champions Bayern Munich have announced their highest turnover in 114 years at a meeting of the club's members. Bayern also now have the most official club members in the world.

Bayern Munich announced their largest turnover in 114 years at their Annual General Meeting on Friday. The Bundesliga champions posted record figures with 528.7 million euros ($621 million), breaking through the 500 million barrier for the first time.



The club's turnover was up almost 100 million euros from last year (432.8-million-euro), while profits after tax have risen from 14 to 16 million.



Bayern's commercial growth over the last 14 years has been sharp and impressive, matching the general economic rise of the Bundesliga and coupled with sustained Champions League participation. Turnover has risen from 176 million euros in the figures posted from 2001/02 season to over 500 million euros.



"Bayern Munich can present to its members results that have never existed in the history of this club," said deputy CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.



"There is no doubt Bayern are both on a sporting level and financially at a stage they have never been before."



Last week, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed to the club's official magazine that the club had paid off the cost of the Allianz Arena - 16 years ahead of schedule. The club would have an extra 20-25 million euros to use in the transfer market, according one report from news agency Reuters.



Bayern top members table



The German club are now the fourth-highest earning club in the world behind Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona.



Club bosses also told around 3000 members at the Audi Dome in Munich that Bayern Munich has the highest number of official members in the world with 251,358. The recent total has risen by more than half over the last 10 years.



Bayern Munich president Karl Hopfner also confirmed that predecessor Uli Hoeness could return to work at Bayern Munich at the beginning of next year.



The 62-year-old is being offered the chance of employment in Bayern's youth department at Säbener Strasse and a large section of those in attendance on Friday evening chanted his name.



Hoeness was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for tax evasion and has been behind bars since the start of June.



In March, Hoeness stepped down from his post as club president and on the Supervisory Board.



rd/jr (Reuters, SID)