Everton "posted record revenues for the second successive year," according to SKY SPORTS. Its final figure of £189M represented an increase of 10% on last year. The club enjoyed a "successful season off the pitch," posting an increase of 16% on "gate receipts alone" and reaching a record of 31,282 season ticket members. Combined with gate receipts, sponsorship and "other commercial income" increased by 45% from '17. Despite that, Everton still posted an operating loss of £22.9M, a slight improvement on the £25M loss posted in '17 because of "increased investment in the squad" which saw signings including Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jordan Pickford and Theo Walcott. The club also reported a loss after tax of £13.1M compared to a profit after tax of £30.6M in '17 (SKY SPORTS, 12/18).
IN AUSTRALIA: In Sydney, Chris Dutton reported Super Rugby side ACT Brumbies will record back-to-back profits for the first time in a decade on Thursday, but they have "different sorts of numbers on their mind for growing the game" in '19. The Brumbies will bank more than A$50,000 ($35,900) "despite crowds dipping to a record low this year" as the Australian rugby public "continued to grow frustrated with the sport's administration." Interim club Chair Matt Nobbs said that the club needs to "make some noise" about getting fans back to Canberra Stadium to help boost its bottom line "even more." Rugby Australia will help fund a marketing campaign in '19 "in the hope of reconnecting with fans and increasing crowd figures" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/18).
