Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA achieved the second-highest turnover in its history in the 2018/19 financial year. While the turnover of €489.5 million did not quite match last year's record-setting level (€536.0 million), which was achieved in part thanks to a large transfer income, the revenues did increase to €369.3 million (last year: €313.3 million) when adjusted to exclude transfer income.

Borussia Dortmund is a flourishing company both in sporting and financial terms. Excluding transfers, the group revenue increased by €56.0 million/17.9 percent to €369.3 million (previous year: €313.3 million) between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019. This was reported today by chairman of the board Hans-Joachim Watzke and managing director Thomas Treß at the annual press conference to announce the preliminary figures for the 2018/19 financial year. In a strong competitive environment, BVB recorded a double-digit post-tax profit of €17.4 million at group level. Watzke added: "BVB has an equity capital of €355 million, equating to an equity capital ratio of more than 70 percent."

"We're a strong brand. We're in the top three in all the relevant areas," explained Hans-Joachim Watzke, before subsequently focusing on further growth opportunities. "We'll continue to operate consistently on the German market but we shall operate equally consistently on the international market, especially in America and Asia. Our tours are bearing fruit. All in all, the USA Tour was a success." Meanwhile, on a sporting level, "we've laid the groundwork for a successful season," explained Watzke. "We have a good team, a good coaching staff and are pursuing our goals with great enthusiasm."

Group earnings before tax (EBT) amounted to €21.8 million (prior year: €34.7 million), while group operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at €116.0 million (prior year: €137.3 million). The biggest growth driver was the revenue from national and international TV marketing. Managing director Thomas Treß highlighted another growth factor: there was a €3 million increase in sponsoring revenue, largely resulting from the international marketing of virtual perimeter advertising. "The topic of digitisation illustrates where further areas of growth lie," announced Treß.

As for the proposal to be made to the general assembly regarding the appropriation of income, the board of management will propose to the supervisory board an unchanged dividend payment of €0.06 per share compared to last year and they shall then take a collective decision. (br)