November 26 – German car maker Audi has bought a 9.09 percent stake in Bayern Munich in a deal worth €90 million (£82 million), the club said today.
Volkswagen’s premium brand Audi, with headquarters in the Bavarian town of Ingolstadt north of Munich, has been a partner of the Bundesliga club since 2002 as exclusive car sponsor.
Audi board chairman Rupert Stadler said: ”With the direct financial participation in the club, the two successful premium brands move even closer.
“But apart from the financial engagement there are plans in progress to strengthen the global presence of both brands in the form of grassroots development in globally organised soccer schools.”
Bayern, the country’s richest and most successful club having won a record number of domestic championships, is also the sole owner of the 69,000-capacity Allianz Arena, which they still owe €340 million (£309 million) on.
The new deal will help the club pay off some of the outstanding debt.
The 10-year deal pushes Bayern’s reported annual earnings past €200 million (£182 million) and Audi become Bayern’s second main investor after German sportswear giant Adidas which invested €77 million (£70 million) in the club in 2002.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern’s chairman, said: ”I am sure that this partnership will open up many new global possibilities for us.
“I think it will help in the Asian market where Audi are already very strongly represented and we are looking forward to working closely together.”
The club has also lifted the European Cup four times and revived their chances in this season’s Champions League last night when they beat Maccabi Haifa 1-0 and will advance to the next knockout stage if they beat Juventus in Turin in the final group match.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has been under increasing pressure as the team are only seventh in the Bundesliga, six points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.