Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

NRL reduces operating losses to $2.6 million in 2016

NRL reduces operating losses to $2.6 million in 2016
February 14, 2017

The National Rugby League’s latest financial results have revealed that despite record income, the code recorded an overall loss of $2.6 million in 2016.

A marked improvement on 2015, when the NRL posted an $18.7 million loss, the defecit reduction came from growing non-broadcast income by 12% on the previous year, including increased sponsorship deals, from $129.3 million in 2015 to $144.2 million in 2016, and stabilising administrative costs.

With stable income from broadcasting, the NRL distributed $184 million to clubs last year.

However, this sum did not backing for the NRL-owned Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans.

Total revenue to the NRL plus clubs in 2016 was $582 million, with the league contributing $375 million and the 16 clubs $207 million.

Commenting on the results, NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg told Fairfax Media “these results show we have invested a majority of revenue, both broadcast and non-broadcast, back into clubs and grassroots football.

“Over the next few years, clubs and players will receive more revenue than ever before – and we will be investing more funds into grassroots.”

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, sports journalist and former rugby league coach Roy Masters suggested that the NRL figures “represent a clear challenge to the clubs - grow your own income from gates, sponsorships, memberships and the sale of merchandise.”

With clubs having been involved in contentious discussions with the Australian Rugby League Commission over the allocation of the game’s funding, Masters highlighted that the clubs had received almost $1 billion since the creation of the ARLC five years ago.

Total revenue to the NRL plus clubs in 2016 was $582 million, with the NRL contributing $375 million and the 16 clubs $207 million.

For future years, Greenberg foreshadowed increases in funds spent on digital production and integrity issues, adding that the code will “invest in our digital and integrity operations which are so important to the future of the game.

"With the new television rights deal secured ($1.9 billion over five years), we will now look to generate maximum funds from commercial activities – and invest them in all levels of the game from grassroots to the elite."

Image: NRL clubs at the 2016 season launch.

20th December 2016 - NRL CLUBS FUNDING AGREEMENT SEES JOHN GRANT RETAIN ARLC CHAIRMANSHIP

12th December 2016 - NEWCASTLE BUSINESSMEN PLAN TAKEOVER OF NRL’S KNIGHTS

5th December 2016 - NRL CONCERN OVER DECLINING RUGBY LEAGUE PARTICIPANT NUMBERS

29th November 2016 - RUGBY LEAGUE COMMISSION BACKS CHAIRMAN JOHN GRANT IN BATTLE WITH CLUBS

17th November 2016 - NRL ANNOUNCES NEW STRUCTURES FOR STATE BASED COMPETITIONS

11th November 2016 - SYDNEY-BASED NRL CLUBS LOST $34.1 MILLION IN 2016 SEASON

17th June 2016 - NRL LEADERS TOLD OF 4% ATTENDANCE RISE THIS SEASON 

3rd December 2015 - NRL CLUBS AGREE NEW FUNDING DEAL

27th November 2015 - NRL ANNOUNCES $1.8 BILLION BROADCAST DEAL WITH FOX SPORTS AND CHANNEL NINE

 


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 

Intelligenz Solutions

Intelligenz provides Leisure Management Software for managing all your Program Registrations, Facility Bookings, Membership Sales and POS Transactions; including detailed Reporting, automated…

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Marketing / Technology

 
 

Digonex

Digonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing

 
 

Enta Australasia

As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd.  Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing.  19th July 2018 - ENTA…

read more

Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 

SLE WORLDWIDE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

SLE Worldwide Australia is a Managing General Underwriter specialising in insuring risks in the world of Sports, Leisure and Entertainment. Be it relaxing, playing, organising or watching sports,…

read more

Insurance / Venues

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business