The Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club has produced its best financial result since 2009, recording a net operating loss of $0.7 million for 2014/15 – an improvement of $2.8 million on the previous financial year.
The Club generated a trading profit of $1 million for the year ending October 31, 2015, prior to depreciation and interest costs.
The $0.7 million loss in 2014/15 compared to a $3.5 million loss in 2013/14, the improvement driven by a range of factors:
- Increased membership – up 6% to 25,408 – the 7th best increase in the AFL;
- Cost control measures and operational restructuring;
- Increased match day revenue off the back of a 31,240 crowd for the opening home game against Collingwood, the biggest Gabba crowd since 2010;
- Strong corporate hospitality and sponsorship results;
- Strong performance of Lions@Springwood Social Club.
Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann said the Club had been committed to improving performance across the entire organisation.
The Club had produced five successive seven-figure losses until this year’s improved result – 2009 the last time a six-figure loss was recorded, the last season the Lions made the finals.
“We have worked hard over the past year in improving our connection with our loyal members and sponsors, as well as working better together as an organisation,” he said.
“But this result is only the start of the journey – we know that we still have a long way to go and we are committed to continued development across every part of the Club.”
Other key points of the Lions’ 2015 Financial Report are:
- Total Club turnover of $51 million, up from $46.5 million the previous financial year;
- Football department expenditure of $21.5 million, up from $18.6 million;
- Social Club turnover of $15.8 million, up from $15.4 million.
The Club continues to work with the AFL to improve its financial performance and ensure the Club benefits fully from the competitive balance model.
Click here to see the 2015 Financial Report
