FRANKFURT: Germany’s Bundesliga achieved record revenues for the 10th year in a row in the 2013-14 season.

At €2.45BN revenues were up 12.9pc over the previous year. 13 out of the 18 clubs – and hence one more than in the previous year – operated profitably.

On the expense side, the staff cost ratio, which expresses the proportion of player and trainer salaries in total revenues, came to 36.8pc, i.e. substantially lower than in the previous year.

By comparison, the average Europe-wide figure stands at 65pc according to UEFA.

The 2. Bundesliga also posted record revenues of €458m (up 9.2pc over the previous year), while the staff cost ratio was also significantly less than 40pc. DFL

Deutsche Fußball Liga announced these figures today during the presentation of the 2015 Bundesliga Report in Frankfurt am Main.

Christian Seifert, the Bundesliga ceo, said: “Over the last few years, professional football in Germany has used its solid financial foundations to achieve outstanding sporting results.

“Looking forward, the outlook remains upbeat as Bundesliga’s economic growth is continuing unabated. This will form the basis for the clubs’ future performance and allow them to finance the manifold activities which they carry out for the good of society as a whole.”

With taxes and duties of more than €875m, German professional football is a major taxpayer. Over the past five years, it has paid total taxes of almost €4bn.

German professional football is also a significant employer. During the 2013-14 season, 48,830 people (8pc more than in the previous year) were employed either directly or were contracted by the licensed clubs.

The full Bundesliga Report can be viewed at www.bundesliga.com.