Following the presentation of its audited accounts at yesterday’s Rugby League Council meeting, the RFL confirmed that its profit for the financial year ending December 31, 2006 was £167,352 on income of £10,894,381.
These profits were driven by income from broadcasting rights, major events and commercial partnerships. As a consequence of five consecutive years of declaring a profits, together with the increasing value of the RFL's property and land bank, the organisation’s balance sheet is now at its strongest ever level at £1.8 million. This represents a considerable improvement on the position since the organisation’s net liabilities peaked at almost £2 million in 2001.
As forecast by the RFL last year, the organisation’s income and costs were reduced from 2005 due to the fact the 2006 Gillette Tri-Nations tournament was staged in the Southern Hemisphere and were accounted for in that territory.
Commenting on the accounts, the RFL’s Executive Chairman Richard Lewis said, “Whilst 2006 did provide the RFL with certain challenges, the fact that a profit has been declared for the fifth consecutive year demonstrates the success and efficiency of the RFL as a progressive national governing body of a major sport.
“Overall, I believe 2006 was a year of success due to the hard work of clubs, volunteers, staff and everyone associated with our sport.
