February 12 – German insurer Allianz, after which Bayern Munich’s stadium is named, have taken an 8.33% stake in the European champions for €110 million, becoming the third strategic partner of the club along with Adidas and Audi.
As a result of the capital increase, the three partners will each hold an 8.33% stake, with the remaining 75% being owned by its members. Allianz said it had also extended a sponsorship deal giving it the option to extend the naming rights for the stadium until 2041.
“FC Bayern München has thus once again set in place the basis of a solid, financially secure future for the club,” said Jan-Christian Dreesen, the board member responsible for finance while Bayern president Uli Hoeness called the deal “a big day” for the club.
Under the arrangement, Bayern plans to pay off its debt on the Allianz Arena, which cost €340 million and opened in 2005, and invest in youth and training facilities. It also plans to extend the capacity of the ground by 4,000 to 75,000, making it Germany’s second largest.
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