German media website Deutsche Welle said the report proved that the professional league, the Bundesliga had a positive effect on the overall development of the German economy. The German state raked in €1.5 billion in 2007-08 in taxes and other benefits arising out of the league's economic activities.
However the picture is not all rosy. The report also revealed a big gap in revenues between top-tier Bundesliga 1, where the clubs turned over €610 million, and Bundesliga 2, where the clubs made around €100 million. Eleven Bundesliga 1 clubs made a profit in 2007-08, compared to 15 the season before.
Attendances in Bundesliga 1 however were twice what they were ten years ago, with 12.8 million fans in total going through the gates in the season, an average of 42,000 per match.
