Boost for player support, clubs and development as AFL execs take cut

Season 2024 had everything and the accompanying operating surplus of $45.4 million for the AFL (an increase of $17.7 million from 2023) is a testament to where the game is at, financially.

On Monday, the AFL revealed its financial results for the in a year where Brisbane was crowned champions of the men's competition and North Melbourne in the women's.

The raging success with record crowd attendances (new record 8,289,788), memberships (all-time record 1,319,687) and the official introduction of a new AFL team had turned Australian Rules Football into, if it wasn't already, the national sport.

In a statement provided by the league, this resulted in an increased $72.3 million operating revenue stream due to increases in broadcasting revenue, improved returns from Marvel Stadium, sponsorship and other consumer-related revenues.

The money made assisted the re-investment into the following:

• $420.8 million to AFL clubs (up from $393.8 million in 2023)
•  $92.3 million to Game Development (up from $89.7 million);
• $63.7 million in running the AFLW competition (up from $57.2 million);
• $49.9 million to the AFLPA which includes contribution to player development, Injury and Hardship programs and Retirement fund (up from $41.5 million);
•  $12.6 million to infrastructure comprising of elite and community facilities and contributions for stadia redevelopments (down from $14.4 million); and
• $1.3 million to corporate and social responsibility initiatives (up from $0.9 million).

The AFL's cash balance at the end of the financial year increased from $164.0 million to $186.7 million.

The total payments to AFL Executives equated to $10.8 million (down $2.8 million year on year), compared to $13.6 million in 2023.