Poor performances on field did little to dent the West Coast Eagles’ financial position in 2022.
Despite winning just two games in 2022 amid a series of player injuries and a wave of COVID-19 infections, the West Coast Eagles managed to stay in the black last year, reporting a $3.46 million surplus in the 12 months to October.
Finances lodged yesterday with ASIC show the club’s income improved from $74.3 million to $83.3 million in 2022 on the back of greater match, membership and sponsorship revenues.
Income from the AFL also increased in that time, from $11.4 million to $13.5 million, at the same time as royalties to the West Australian Football Commission declined, from $3.81 million to $2.71 million.
Those gains were largely offset by an increase in football and administration expenses, which contributed to a near halving of the club’s reported profit of $7.24 million in the year to October 2021.
Writing for the report, club chair Paul Fitzpatrick, who took over from Russell Gibbs in November last year, acknowledged the club's poor performances while saying it was pleasing to have played 11 home games with crowds.
“The impacts of COVID and an injury crisis were significant impediments but regardless we know there is a substantial amount to do to get better and the whole club is united in the drive to achieve this,” he said.
West Coast managed just two wins from 22 games last year, including a win against Essendon in front of a home crowd in Round 15, finishing the season with its worst win-loss record since entering the AFL in 1987.
The club will play its first match of the 2023 AFL season against North Melbourne in March, with a series of practice matches against Adelaide and Port Adelaide to be held in Perth later this month.
