NRL advises of record financial result in 2023

After generating more than $700 million revenue during a record breaking season in which television viewers, attendances and participation figures were all up, the NRL has announced an operating surplus of $58.2 million for 2023.

Announced ahead of its season opening round in the USA next month, the NRL’s income increased by $107 million from 2022, recording a $58 million profit for the year and an increase in assets after the recent purchase of two hotels.

The latest figures were revealed at the code’s Annual General Meeting this morning, Australian Rugby League Commission Chair Peter V’landys and National Rugby League Chief Executive, Andrew Abdo.

Commenting on the results, V’Landys stated “(the figures) have enabled us to now be in the best financial position the game has ever been in, with net assets of $260 million.

“And that’s very important, because during COVID we were three-to-four months from being insolvent.”

Key figures revealed today included:

• The NRL now has net assets in excess of $260 million, not including recent acquisitions the 81-room Mercure Sunshine Coast Kawana Waters hotel and Quest Hotel at Woolooware Bay.

• The NRL delivered record distributions of $447 million to stakeholders, with players receiving a record $216.3 million.

• The 17 NRL clubs received $98.2 million, a 33% increase with investment in participation and pathways rose up to $82.8 million last season.

The NRL is also claiming to be the most viewed TV sport in Australia with a cumulative viewership of 93.2 million, up 2.4% from the previous year, compared to the AFL’s 91 million total viewers.

V’Landys added “our revenues have gone up significantly in the last three to four years, and it's in every area of the operation (and) it's not just one area like broadcast, it's through the whole revenue streams.

“The best part of our result has been that we've actually distributed record amounts to clubs.

“When I first came onto the commission, we were looking at two clubs actually going broke, so I'm happy to say now that every club is in the best financial position that they've been in.

“We've also given the players record distributions of $216.3 million, up $30 million on the previous year, or 16%.”

At grassroots level, V’Landys claimed that participation has increased by 9% to more than 192,000 registered players, with male playing numbers up 5% and female playing numbers growing by 12%.

He noted “that's very important to us because they're the future participants in our game.

“Even though there's been some criticism in the media in relation to pathways development and participation, we have given $82.8 million last year in those areas - up $9.7 million on the previous year.

“More importantly, over the next five years, $420 million will be spent on participation and pathways.”

Abdo thanked key stakeholders for supporting the game, going on to say “I am proud of the record distributions we have made to our clubs, players and grassroots and participation pathways, which are up 22% on last year.

“The game’s record high revenues are proof that our business strategy is working. Importantly, there has been strong growth in all revenue streams, not just broadcast revenues. We are fortunate to have extremely loyal partners and passionate, engaged fans, as evidenced by the record attendance and viewership.

“The strong surplus allows for reinvestment back into the game, which means the Commission can plan for an exciting period of growth.

“We are looking forward to an even bigger 2024, taking the game to the United States, continuing the game’s expansion of the footprint in the Pacific, expanding the women’s game further with three State of Origin matches, and growing the number of registered grassroot participants.”

Images: NRL Magic Round was played in Brisbane in 2023 (top, credit: NRL Photos) and ARLC Chair Peter V'landys and NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo outline details of the 2023 annual report (below, credit: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos)