AFL 2022 financial results show return to profit

AFL has reported an operating profit of $20.7 million for 2022, marking a $66.8 million year-on-year turnaround in its performance.

Forwarding its 2022 financial results to the Presidents and Chairs of the 18 clubs, in the lead-up to its AGM next month, AFL Commission Chair Richard Goyder said the collective industry delivered a strong result after three uncertain and challenging years, commenting “at the start of 2022 our agenda was to champion the community’s bounce back from the COVID- 19 pandemic and catapult football, at all levels, back to pre-covid levels.

“It wasn’t without its challenges, however a collective effort from our football community, from our players, coaches and officials, our committed broadcast and corporate partners and especially our football fans, delivered one of our biggest football calendar years on record.

“Two AFLW seasons in the one year, and one of the best AFL seasons in recent memory drove great momentum and, in turn, ensured footy was front and centre all year as communities regained their pre-Covid weekly rituals and rhythms. The AFL put on more than 850 matches across AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW, NAB League and our elite talent programs, which is an unbelievable calendar of events to deliver, and I congratulate everyone who played a part.

“During the year the AFL Commission acted to entrench 10% of all football revenue to invest back into game development and community football, acknowledging the importance the grassroots level and the thousands of volunteers have on not only the elite game but the ability to bring communities together and provide a sense of belonging.

“We need an oval a week every week for the next five years to support the growth in participation, particularly among women and girls, and this investment will enable us to continue to partner with Governments at all levels to provide more inclusive and gender appropriate facilities and welcoming environments for all participants.”

Advising that having prepared for another challenging year, A FL Chief Financial Officer Travis Auld said the results were a testament to the planning and discipline as the industry worked through the uncertainty of Covid’s impact in 2022.

Auld noted “our underlying profit was a budget break even result, and while our profit and cash balance were both significant on paper, they included partial receipt of the majority of the $225 million (Victorian) Government grant for the Marvel Stadium redevelopment partnership that was announced in 2018 - a redevelopment that is now close to being completed.

“The AFL costs increased off the back of completing two AFLW seasons in one financial year, the introduction of four new clubs into the AFLW competition, the historical 94% increase in payments to AFLW players, ongoing covid pandemic measures at AFL clubs and further investment into AFLW facilities and grounds.

“The AFLW competition and women’s football remains a priority and our investment in the last 12 months reflects this as did the commitment to a 94% pay rise for players and running two seasons in the one calendar year to avoid an 16-month break between seasons.

The results, which include the AFL’s controlled state subsidiaries, Marvel Stadium and Champion Data, also shows that club membership reached an all-time record 1,190,671 members in 2022, surpassing the record of 1,113,441 that was set in 2021 - a jump of 6.9% growth on last year.

The AFL’s operating revenue increased by $131.8 million due to a combination of improved commercial returns from Marvel Stadium, sponsorship and broadcasting. This revenue was used to fund the following investments:

• $337.5 million to AFL clubs;
• $60.8 million to Game Development;
• $45.3 million in running the AFLW competition, including Season 6 which ran from January 2022 to April 2022 and part of Season 7, which ran from August 2022 to November 2022;
• $27.1 million to the AFLPA;
• $17.4 million to infrastructure comprising of elite and community facilities and contributions for stadia redevelopments; and
• $0.7 million to corporate and social responsibility initiatives.

Total payments to AFL executives equated to $11.8 million, compared to $10.4 million in 2019.

Images: Geelong secure the 2022 AFL Premiership (top) and the 2022 results took account of a $225 million Victorian Government grant for the Marvel Stadium redevelopment partnership (below).