FC Bayern Munich is a name associated with greatness in all sports. Though much of its reputation comes from the accomplishments of the club’s football team, Bayern has a rich basketball history as well. And after several strong seasons that have lifted the club from the German minor leagues into European competition, Bayern is ready to fight for titles again. The basketball team’s roots go back to 1946 and the club was a powerful one early on by winning national championships in 1954 and ’55 and a German Cup in 1968. The team even made its European debut in the early rounds of the 1968-69 Cup Winners Cup, but slipped over the next few years and was relegated to the German second division in 1974. After that the team all but disappeared and spent just three seasons in the top German League over the next three-and-a-half decades, while often playing in the regional leagues. In 2008, following the success of the club’s junior team, Bayern purchased the license from Dusseldorf Magics to return to the competitive Pro A league. Great investment and fan interest followed and in 2010 German national team head coach Dirk Bauermann was handed the reins to lead the club to the Bundesliga. With national team stalwarts Steffen Hamann and Demond Greene joining the charge, Bayern dominated the second division last season and clinched its return to the German elite with seven games remaining. This season with its Eurocup debut on the table, Bayern continues to strengthen itself with the goal of competing for glory in every competition. Already with a strong fan base set to fill the intimidating Audi Dome, Bayern Munich has plenty to offer and figures to add plenty of excitement to German and European basketball for years to come.