Only FC Bayern Munich becomes German economic champion

With one exception: the leader in the Bain table is Germany’s record champions FC Bayern Munich. So far, so expected. But things get interesting right behind them: Union Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Köln follow in second to fourth place. Placements in these table spheres are particularly unusual for Berlin and Cologne. It was a conscious decision to examine the clubs as independently as possible from their absolute economic and sporting size, explains Lukas Richau, one of the authors of the study. Richau has a doctorate in sports economics and focuses on the consumer goods and retail industries at Bain. Walter Sinn, head of Bain Germany and co-author of the study, adds: “We are concerned with the question: Who does the best business in times of limited resources? Who can get the most out of what’s available?”