By David Gold
February 28 – German champions Borussia Dortmund have registered revenues of over €100 million (£84 million/$135 million) for the first time in their history.
The club said that they brought in €101.4 million (£86 million/$136.4 million) for the six month period from July 1 to December 31 last year, an increase of €30 million (£25.4 million/$40.4 million) on the previous year.
This is, in part, down to their participation in this season’s Champions League, though they finished bottom of their group to exit Europe before Christmas.
Thanks to the increased revenue, profits rose to €16.7 million (£14.2 million/$22.5 million).
It is an impressive turnaround from the precarious financial position they found themselves in less than a decade ago.
Following their title success in 2002, Dortmund almost went bankrupt and endured years away from Germany’s top table before claiming the Bundesliga crown last season.
The club’s chief executive, Hans-Joachim Watzke, used the figures to illustrate that they were on a sound financial footing and allay fears over the signing of starlet Marco Reus (pictured above centre).
Reus is one of the best young players in Europe having helped Borussia Moenchengladbach launch an unlikely title challenge this season.
Dortmund have agreed to buy him for €17.5 million (£14.8 million/$23.5 million) at the end of the season.
That will also calm fears from supporters that the signing of Reus would necessitate the sale of Mario Goetze (pictured above), one of Europe’s best young players coveted by many of the continent’s leading teams.
”Borussia has developed itself economically and on a sporting level continuously over the last few years,” said Watzke.
”Given the current figures it’s clear that the transfer of Marco Reus does not pose any economic risk.”
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