FC Bayern Munich, one of the world’s best-known sports clubs, has a long history in basketball dating back to 1946. Bayern made its European debut in the early rounds of the 1968-69 Cup Winners’ Cup. After relegation to the German second division in 1974 and then a few turbulent decades, 2008 saw Bayern purchase the license of the Dusseldorf Magics to return to the German second tier. Bayern clinched promotion back to the German top flight in 2011. Bayern also received a wild card to play the 2011-12 EuroCup, before legendary coach Svetislav Pesic – whose son Marko was and still is the general manager – stepped in ahead of the 2012-13 season. Everything clicked in 2013-14 as Bayern shined in its EuroLeague debut season by reaching the Top 16 and took the German title for the first time since 1955. The appointment of charismatic Italian coach Andrea Trinchieri in 2020 sparked another surge as Bayern enjoyed its best-ever season on the continental stage, making the EuroLeague Playoffs and forcing EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to five games in a thrilling series. Bayern was one win away from the Final Four in 2022, losing 3-2 in the playoffs once again, this time to FC Barcelona. Two-time EuroLeague champion Pablo Laso arrived as head coach in 2023 but could not prevent Bayern from missing the postseason for a second straight year. In the 2024-25 season, new play-caller Gordie Herbert, who achieved great success with the German national team, will be eager to bring that run to an end.
FC Bayern Munich, one of the world’s best-known sports clubs, has a long history in basketball dating back to 1946. Bayern made its European debut in the early rounds of the 1968-69 Cup Winners’ Cup. After relegation to the German second division in 1974 and then a few turbulent decades, 2008 saw Bayern purchase the license of the Dusseldorf Magics to return to the German second tier. Bayern clinched promotion back to the German top flight in 2011. Bayern also received a wild card to play the 2011-12 EuroCup, before legendary coach Svetislav Pesic – whose son Marko was and still is the general manager – stepped in ahead of the 2012-13 season. Everything clicked in 2013-14 as Bayern shined in its EuroLeague debut season by reaching the
Top 16 and took the German title for the first time since 1955. The appointment of charismatic Italian coach Andrea Trinchieri in 2020 sparked another surge as Bayern enjoyed its best-ever season on the continental stage, making the EuroLeague Playoffs and forcing EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to five games in a thrilling series. Bayern was one win away from the Final Four in 2022, losing 3-2 in the playoffs once again, this time to FC Barcelona. Two-time EuroLeague champion Pablo Laso arrived as head coach in 2023 but could not prevent Bayern from missing the postseason for a second straight year. In the 2024-25 season, new play-caller Gordie Herbert, who achieved great success with the German national team, will be eager to bring that run to an end.
