I don't know what to make of that.

They've got to try ways to raise revenue and cover the costs of running a football team, and this is a bit different at least. But the reason they've got to do this kind of thing is because all clubs have let their finances become so needy and the wage bill so high that gate money won't cover it.

An area that they ought to be strong in is hospitality and catering so it's not really that unconventional. What is is the German angle. It's quite refreshing to see Germany and its culture not lampooned or faintly ridiculed (although Bavarian beer maids is pushing it). The pedant in me wants to point out that K?lsch and Pils are very much not Bavarian beers but it's an attempt (it's like having London Pride at a Scottish beer festival).

But, like you imply, what's it got to do with football? It's like the club taking over leisure activities and branding them for consumption but in that it's the same as every other sphere of our society. It will all eat itself eventually.

Posted By: APB, Sep 3, 08:25:47