GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
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- 20,559
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...b/news-story/d8f6c5dd3f2d74ae98853eda04ccdc3f
WAYNE Bennett has restored Brisbane’s superpower status after the club amassed $40 million in revenue and posted a record profit to become the richest club in the NRL.
The power of Bennett is evident in the balance sheet that has made the Broncos the envy of the NRL.
● The Broncos made a $3.77 million profit last season, the biggest surplus in the club’s 29-year history;
● They broke their membership record on Thursday, with almost 29,000 paid-up members before Friday’s clash with the Warriors;
● They had an after-tax profit of $2.56m, a 208 per cent increase on the previous financial year;
● The club exceeded $40 million in revenue for the first time;
● Merchandise sales surged by 29 per cent thanks to Bennett’s ability to steer the side to the grand final in his first year back at Red Hill.
The Broncos took a major hit in 2014, outlaying $2 million to pay out sacked coach Anthony Griffin and a host of unwanted players, but the investment in Bennett has paid massive dividends.
While NRL clubs lost a collective $42 million last year, the Broncos are back in the penthouse under Bennett’s charter to make them the most powerful brand in Australian sport.
Brisbane chairman Dennis Watt lauded Bennett’s influence but said no one at the Broncos would be complacent as the club tries to break a 10-year title drought this season.
“We are surging ahead,” Watt said. “Our success is very much a testament to Wayne. Having him back really does lift the profile of the club and with that comes higher expectations.
“He certainly does have an aura about him which comes from being the most successful coach in the game.
“The reality is he does such a fine job running the football team that Paul White, who is an exceptional CEO, can focus on the commercial side of the business.
“In saying that, it’s only one year. This club is about enduring success, about not taking the foot off the pedal and about staying humble.
“We had an outstanding year in 2011 then had three losing seasons, so we’re constantly striving to be better. That’s the expectation Wayne has of everyone including himself.’’
Brisbane’s sponsorship value is closing in on half the value of the National Rugby League’s portfolio.
The NRL are estimated to have a sponsorship portfolio of around $27 million and they have an entire competition to sell.
The fact Brisbane can achieve half this by selling just one brand is a major milestone for the club, who just five years ago had a sponsorship stable valued around $6m.
Either the NRL are underselling their sponsorship or the Broncos are overselling theirs. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Broncos boss White spoke at a business leaders conference last month, informing Queensland’s corporate heavy hitters of his off-field team’s strategy to become the financial leaders of the NRL.
The Broncos are one of only three clubs who turn a profit, underlining Bennett’s off-field status.
“We’re the most profitable club in the NRL and significantly, we have no input from the leagues club,” Watt said.
“We are a stand-alone football business. Unlike other NRL clubs, we get no assistance from the leagues club.
“We’re very proud and very mindful of the rich inheritance in terms of the people who came before to build this club.”
WAYNE Bennett has restored Brisbane’s superpower status after the club amassed $40 million in revenue and posted a record profit to become the richest club in the NRL.
The power of Bennett is evident in the balance sheet that has made the Broncos the envy of the NRL.
● The Broncos made a $3.77 million profit last season, the biggest surplus in the club’s 29-year history;
● They broke their membership record on Thursday, with almost 29,000 paid-up members before Friday’s clash with the Warriors;
● They had an after-tax profit of $2.56m, a 208 per cent increase on the previous financial year;
● The club exceeded $40 million in revenue for the first time;
● Merchandise sales surged by 29 per cent thanks to Bennett’s ability to steer the side to the grand final in his first year back at Red Hill.
The Broncos took a major hit in 2014, outlaying $2 million to pay out sacked coach Anthony Griffin and a host of unwanted players, but the investment in Bennett has paid massive dividends.
While NRL clubs lost a collective $42 million last year, the Broncos are back in the penthouse under Bennett’s charter to make them the most powerful brand in Australian sport.
Brisbane chairman Dennis Watt lauded Bennett’s influence but said no one at the Broncos would be complacent as the club tries to break a 10-year title drought this season.
“We are surging ahead,” Watt said. “Our success is very much a testament to Wayne. Having him back really does lift the profile of the club and with that comes higher expectations.
“He certainly does have an aura about him which comes from being the most successful coach in the game.
“The reality is he does such a fine job running the football team that Paul White, who is an exceptional CEO, can focus on the commercial side of the business.
“In saying that, it’s only one year. This club is about enduring success, about not taking the foot off the pedal and about staying humble.
“We had an outstanding year in 2011 then had three losing seasons, so we’re constantly striving to be better. That’s the expectation Wayne has of everyone including himself.’’
Brisbane’s sponsorship value is closing in on half the value of the National Rugby League’s portfolio.
The NRL are estimated to have a sponsorship portfolio of around $27 million and they have an entire competition to sell.
The fact Brisbane can achieve half this by selling just one brand is a major milestone for the club, who just five years ago had a sponsorship stable valued around $6m.
Either the NRL are underselling their sponsorship or the Broncos are overselling theirs. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Broncos boss White spoke at a business leaders conference last month, informing Queensland’s corporate heavy hitters of his off-field team’s strategy to become the financial leaders of the NRL.
The Broncos are one of only three clubs who turn a profit, underlining Bennett’s off-field status.
“We’re the most profitable club in the NRL and significantly, we have no input from the leagues club,” Watt said.
“We are a stand-alone football business. Unlike other NRL clubs, we get no assistance from the leagues club.
“We’re very proud and very mindful of the rich inheritance in terms of the people who came before to build this club.”
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