The Australian Football League was "forced to pour in" more than A$2M in additional funding for the Gold Coast Suns in '15 "to cover a bigger than expected financial loss," according to Stensholt & Pierik of THE AGE. Documents "lodged this week with the corporate regulator" revealed the Suns made a A$300,000 loss last year, compared to a A$1M profit in '14. However, the Suns annual report showed the AFL contributing A$18.6M in grant funding in '14, up A$2M "from the previous financial year." It "also showed that the club borrowed" A$1.59M from National Australia Bank in '15, on a two-year term with a maturity date of June 30, 2017. The financial report also revealed a A$1M ($710,000) fall in membership and ticket income to about A$6.6M ($4.7M), falling merchandise sales and a A$2M ($1.4M) "increase in employee expenses" to about A$22M ($15.6M). Revenue for the club rose A$1.2M ($850,000) "to just under" A$35M ($24.8M). Sponsorship and supply rights "income rose about" A$800,000 ($566,520) to about $7.5M ($5.3M) (THE AGE, 2/8).
