German league clubs pass three billion euros mark

The New York Times 15:54 - 26 January 2017

Leverkusen's Brazilian defender Wendell and Hertha's midfielder Alexander Esswein vie for the ball during their Bundesliga match in Leverkusen on January 22, 2017

The Bundesliga has posted record revenues for the 12th season in a row.

The 18 German top flight clubs posted a total of three billion euros ($3.2b) in revenue last season for the first time in the Bundesligas 54-year history, it was announced Thursday.

The league's finances are in rude health in the home of the world champions and for the 12th season in a row, the Bundesliga, founded in 1963, has posted record revenues, when the figures were revealed in Frankfurt.

The sum of 3.24 billion euros in total revenue for 2015/16 is an increase of 23.7 percent compared with the previous financial year (2.62 billion).

Of the 18 clubs, 13 posted revenue in excess of 100 million euros last season.

By far, the richest club in Germany remains Bayern Munich, who are chasing a fifth straight Bundesliga title under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.