The National Rugby League "increased its profit tenfold last season" to A$50M, according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. At Monday's annual general meeting, it "will outline plans as to how the money will be used to enhance the game."
After announcing a profit of A$4.6M last year, the NRL "has advised stakeholders the 2013 profit has risen" to A$49.6M, the "biggest in the game's history."
The principal reason "is a massive rise in television revenue," which rose to A$221M last year under a new A$1.2B broadcasting deal with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Telstra. In comparison, broadcasting revenue was A$101M in '12. Income from sponsorship, merchandise and gate receipts "is also up significantly, but the NRL has also increased spending in areas such as the annual club grant," which almost doubled from A$46.2M in '12. With the game in its strongest financial position yet, the NRL "is considering some radical changes to the salary cap." However, COO Jim Doyle said that "they would not be introduced this season" (SMH, 2/24).
NEED FOR SPEED: In Sydney, Adrian Proszenko reported the Auckland Nines "could feature an altogether different dash for cash next year if its promoter goes ahead with a 100-metre race to determine the NRL's fastest man."
Duco Events, the promoter of the inaugural tournament, "believes a proposal being finalised by renowned sprint coach Roger Fabri could 'capture the public's interest''' (SMH, 2/23).
CRONULLA INVESTIGATION: The AAP wrote the NRL "has launched an investigation into banned Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan's appearance at Remondis Stadium at Saturday's trial between the Sharks and Wests Tigers."
Flanagan's appearance at the game "is in blatant violation of his 12-month suspension handed down in December in regard to governance issues at the club" in '11 (AAP, 2/23).
