TSG Hoffenheim register another record turnover

"Not only did we surpass the revenue mark of EUR 100 million for the fourth consecutive time, but we also recorded a positive operating result for the fourth time in a row," Frank Briel, the TSG managing director responsible for financial matters, told the November edition of the club magazine SPIELFELD, which comes out on Thursday.

This outstanding annual profit serves to enhance Hoffenheim's financial strength. The equity capital ratio stands at 75 percent. "That's an extremely respectable value for any company and even more so for one in professional football," said Briel. Individual segments also show that TSG Hoffenheim is in rude financial health and optimally equipped for the future. The club's participation in the Champions League generated income of around EUR 30 million, while at the same time income from ticketing rose by 2.5 million to EUR 19 million. Sponsoring revenue climbed marginally too. But the strongest pillar remained the income from national and international TV broadcasting rights, which brought in revenue totalling EUR 66 million.

In addition, it's already foreseeable that the 2019/20 campaign will result in another record turnover. "We'll cross the EUR 200 million turnover threshold for the first time and also generate earnings that will represent a record for our club," said Briel. The transfer revenues made from the player sales of Joelinton, Kerem Demirbay, Nico Schulz, Nadiem Amiri and Vincenzo Grifo among others, which totalled around EUR 110 million, will not be reflected in the balance sheet until 2019/20 and will "ensure us an outstanding result", explained the TSG managing director.

TSG occupy what Briel labels a "mid-table position" in the Bundesliga financial ranking. "Based on personnel costs and turnover, we can place ourselves between 7th and 10th in the league." The TSG managing director is highly satisfied that the "Hoffenheim way" has paid off. "Step-by-step, we have put ourselves in a situation whereby we can organise our business operations without external funding and offer Bundesliga football at a top level," said Briel.

In addition, the November edition of SPIELFELD features a big interview with TSG's Pavel Kadeřábek, who is currently in his fifth season with the club. Speaking about his development, the Czech full-back said: "I still say I need to improve. I can get at least six goals and 20 assists each season. It can always get better." The 27-year-old, whose contract in Hoffenheim runs until 2023, added that he can envisage settling down in the Kraichgau after hanging up his boots. "My wife Tereza and I are very satisfied with our life here. We have everything we need and we feel very happy. I could certainly imagine us staying here even after my professional career is over," said Kadeřábek.