While it’s no secret that Borussia Dortmund have players on their books who earn quite a lot. Players like Felix Nmecha, Julian Brandt, and Marcel Sabitzer each earn over six million euros per calendar year. In contrast, Gregor Kobel and Serhou Guirassy earn about nine million, and Niklas Süle receives a staggering ten million per year. Yet these players could be in for a rude awakening this summer.
Many more players earn between four and six million per year, including Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi, Julian Ryerson, and Ramy Bensebaini. Yet, according to journalist Patrick Berger, most of these players possess clauses in their contracts that would cut their salaries by up to 20% should Borussia Dortmund fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. Interestingly, it’s been reported that Niklas Süle, Dortmund’s top earner, does not have such a clause and would retain his full salary next season regardless of BVB’s Champions League status.
If Dortmund fails to qualify for the Champions League, these wage cuts could be a blessing in disguise. Dortmund would not be receiving any broadcasting payments or win bonuses associated with playing in Europe’s premier club competition.
Currently, the prize money per League Phase win is just over two million euros, meaning Dortmund earned over ten million in performance-related Champions League bonuses for reaching the playoffs. They’re set to earn another eleven million euros for reaching the last sixteen, and that doesn’t include payments from broadcasters, who show the game worldwide. Missing out on UCL caused an enormous financial strain on clubs that are used to playing in competitions every year.