Club champion defended by Rummenigge
In an interview during the recently concluded Club World Cup, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the CEO of FC Bayern Munich, expressed no concern about the additional burden for football professionals, finding pleasure in the competition instead. The tournament, which occurs every four years, saw Bayern Munich as one of the top European clubs participating.
Rummenigge stated that the Club World Cup is a welcome addition, created due to the need for additional revenue. The tournament, with a record $1 billion prize pool, has increased global visibility and commercial appeal for participating clubs, with Bayern Munich expected to receive between $12.8 million and $38 million just for participation.
Despite the quarter-final elimination of FC Bayern against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, Rummenigge drew a positive conclusion from the club's participation in the tournament. The ratings for the Club World Cup on Sat.1 and DAZN were still good, especially among the young target group, indicating a broad approval for the competition.
Interestingly, there is no direct publicly available data or detailed analysis specifically linking FC Bayern Munich’s participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to increased T-shirt sales in the USA. However, the high profile of the tournament, combined with Bayern’s strong brand partnerships and participation, likely contributed to increased merchandise demand in the US market.
The winner of the Club World Cup was FC Chelsea, while the semi-finals consisted of three European teams and one South American team. The perception on site changed positively during the tournament, and Rummenigge watched it with great interest.
In a broader context, Rummenigge mentioned that players demanding higher salaries forces clubs to explore additional revenue streams. He also noted a lack of willingness among players to forgo salaries and suggested that many players have contributed to their own increased financial pressure. However, he also emphasized that looking beyond the horizon from time to time is beneficial.
Rummenigge found pleasure in the Club World Cup competition and suggested that FC Bayern could present itself on the world stage, win new fans, and benefit economically due to its participation in the tournament. This sentiment was echoed by the broad approval for the Club World Cup among the young target group.
Sports enthusiasts across Europe, including football fans, expressed growing excitement for the Club World Cup's return in the future, as participating clubs like FC Bayern Munich stand to gain significant economic benefits, such as the potential for increased T-shirt sales in international markets. Rummenigge, the CEO of FC Bayern Munich, also highlighted his personal pleasure in the competition and believed that Bayern could expand its global fanbase and financial success through its continued involvement in the Club World League.
