Bundesliga clubs top 4 billion euros in revenue for 1st time

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s Bundesliga remains in good financial health with the top-division clubs generating more than 4 billion euros ($4.33 billion) in revenue for the first time last season.

The German soccer league (DFL) announced Tuesday that the 18 clubs’ total revenue of just over 4 billion euros ($4.33 billion) is a 5.4 percent increase on the season before, as well as the 15th successive year of record revenue.

The second division’s revenues rose by 28.5 percent to 782 million euros ($845.6 million) – also a record.

“Additional future growth prospects will come in particular from digital innovations and on the international front,” DFL chief executive Christian Seifert said.

The Bundesliga’s popularity among fans is staying strong. With an average of 42,738 tickets sold per game in the top division, it remains the most-attended league in the world, according to the DFL. Only in 2011-12 (44,293) and 2017-18 (43,879) did more fans attend.

Clubs across the top two divisions paid a record 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in taxes and duties to social security institutions during the 2018-19 season. Of the 36 professional clubs, 28 finished the season with a net profit.