NRL 2022 Financial Report

22nd February 2023

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has advised its members that the game will report a record operating surplus of $62.9 million for the 2022 season. This compares to a $43 million surplus in 2021, an increase of $19.9 million. Further, the net asset position now exceeds $200 million, up by 45% compared to 2021.

Total revenue increased by $18.7 million to a rugby league record revenue of $593.8 million. Operating expenditure dropped $17.1 million which is nine per cent lower than in 2021. This includes running two NRLW competitions during the 2022 calendar year along with an expanded international calendar.

The reduction in operating expenses has put the game in a strong position which will allow distributions as a percentage of revenue to be increased further in the next five-year cycle. Distributions to players, Clubs, States and game development were also up by $17.3 million which is a 4.9 per cent increase on the prior year.

The acquisition of Gambaro Hotel represented the first step in the plan to strengthen the ARLC balance sheet by acquiring income-producing assets. The asset is performing well and ahead of expectations. The net asset position now exceeds $200 million, up by 45% compared to 2021.

NRL players also received approximately $40 million in outperformance payments enabling players to receive almost all of the salary related reductions during COVID-19.

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said the Commission had responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by developing and implementing a plan to secure the financial viability of the game. "The Commission has been focused on navigating the challenges of COVID-19 to ensure we are able to maximise funds available for distribution to members, invest in grassroots participation and invest in income producing assets. We’ve emerged in a strong financial position, NRL Clubs are well-funded and profitable, fans are supporting the NRL and NRLW competitions in record numbers and there is a plan in place to further invest in grassroots football including schools and Club participation. Furthermore, the game now has acquired an asset, the Gambaro Hotel, that will diversify revenues and create innovative experiences for fans. This is the first of many assets that will produce revenues for the game. The plan has included strategies to grow revenues and restructure operations to ensure the game was fit and ready to emerge from the pandemic with the financial strength to seize expected growth opportunities. "It is imperative that the game has at least $300 million invested in revenue producing assets so as to future proof the game," he said. "It should be remembered that at the start of the financial year, the NRL was still implementing COVID-19 protocols, including compulsory RAT testing. There has been a great deal of uncertainty over the last few years, and we are pleased to have come through that challenge in a strong position to invest in participation and growth."

The financial performance was a result of a strong season of football: