In their annual report, the DFL announced that 2013-14 had been another record breaking season for the fastest growing league in Europe as the Bundesliga recorded its tenth consecutive season of financial growth. The report's focus was to highlight the revenue of the league, one which had risen 12.9 percent from the previous year to 2.45 billion euros ($2.8 billion).

13 of the 18 top-flight teams - which is one up on the previous year - operated profitably. Overall 24 of the 36 first and second-division clubs made post-tax profit. The second division also had a record year, reaching a total revenue of 458 million euros ($522 million) for the first time in the league's history.

"Looking forward, the outlook remains upbeat as the Bundesliga's economic growth is continuing unabated," Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert said. Seifert said turnover next season is predicted to exceed 2.5 billion euros ($2.8 billion) - an unprecedented amount.

Germany's World Cup win in Brazil was a sign of the youth planning

A popular investment

As well as the profits, the 36 licensed clubs attracted 18.5 million spectators to their stadiums during the season. This is the second highest amount in the history of professional football in Germany. With an average of 42,609 spectators per game, the Bundesliga is the best attended league in all of Europe's professional leagues.

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

The same clubs also take pride in a return on their investment: Last year, 120.15 million euros ($137.5 million) was spent on clubs' youth academies, meaning that since 2002, Bundesliga clubs have invested a total of 940 million euros ($1 billion) in developing young, footballing talent.

Coupling German football's domestic success on and off the pitch with the German national team's triumph in Brazil over the summer, President of the League Association Dr Reinhard Rauball said "Memories of the German national team's fourth World Cup victory will stay with us for a long time."

apc/jh (ap, Reuters)