On the eve of the 2022 season, Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys says rugby league is in a stronger financial position than it was before the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing on Monday the game recorded a $43.1m surplus last season.
Rugby league’s revenue surged to $575.1m last year, 37 per cent or $155.4m higher than 2020.
The NRL announced on Monday morning that $5.5m had been allocated to paying players back for taking pay cuts in the wake of financial difficulties posed by the pandemic, meaning “the majority” of pay cuts had now been reimbursed.
The ARLC has also ensured there will be $5.5m in bonuses designated to players in 2022.
“The players sacrificed a great deal financially and personally to ensure we completed the season and we wanted to reward their efforts,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said.
“On behalf of the commission, I would like to thank our members and our players who have led the way in ensuring we completed a full season in 2021.”
The Rugby League Players’ Association congratulated the league on its surplus and emphasised the players were entitled to be paid bonuses, per revisions made to the RLPA and NRL’s collective bargaining agreement in December.
“Today’s financial results are a great demonstration of the strength of our game, and we acknowledge the forward payment being granted by the Commission,” said chief executive Clint Newton.
“But it’s important important to clarify: this $5.5m was negotiated by the players in the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) revisions. This money was earned by players and rightfully belongs to them.”
In addition, an extra $9m in payments was paid to the 16 NRL clubs in October 2021. The total amount of cash grants distributed to the clubs was $239.6m last year.
V’landys credited “significant revenue increases and ongoing efficiencies at NRL head office” for the league’s strong financial position.
“The commission is proud to report that despite almost $30m in Covid costs, the game will report a strong surplus,” he said.
“Most importantly, the commission has made it a priority to ensure club members and players received increased distributions. Many clubs were facing significant financial challenges due to the pandemic.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said 2021 was “an incredibly strong year” for the growth of rugby league.
“Revenues returned to over $550m and we have secured long-term broadcast agreements which will see broadcast investment increase to over $400m a year from 2023,’’ he said.
“We have received tremendous support and loyalty from our media partners, sponsors and fans, who have stuck by us.
“We have also been innovative in the way we have approached new commercial partners and we have continued to look for efficiencies in our cost base.”
The 2022 NRL season begins on March 10 when reigning premiers the Penrith Panthers take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
