NRL clubs are facing the biggest financial crisis since the second world war.
The coronavirus pandemic has already shut down the 2020 season indefinitely, and now the question is what the competition will look like when play resumes.
There’s fears only 10 teams will survive the lockdown.
Here is where every club sits financially, and why they will or won’t survive.
BRISBANE
Considered the game’s off-field benchmark, with $14 million believed to be in the bank after reportedly amassing revenue of $52 million last year.
CANBERRA
Believed to be owned by the Queanbeyan Leagues Club, who have six clubs and posted a $1 million profit last year.
CANTERBURY
Backed by the powerful Canterbury League Club, which has been forced to drastically cut their costs after restrictions were placed on licensed venues.
Football club staff have been stood down while the season is suspended.
CRONULLA
The Sharks have begun to cull staff, including club legend Paul Gallen.
However, the Sharkies leagues club, which props up the football team, has $16 million in cash reserves and $25 million in development assets.
GOLD COAST
Privately owned by the Frizelle family who have reportedly experienced tough times in the car industry, it is believed the Titans have made moves to ease the financial burden on the club by cutting staff.
MANLY
Rumours have been rife in recent years that majority owner Scott Penn, who is dealing with a $2 million tax bill last year, that he could sell.
Penn last week said “all clubs would go under” unless the federal government stepped in.
MELBOURNE
Should be well-equipped to survive after being independently valued at more than $30 million earlier this year when Melbourne businessman Brett Ralph bought a stake to join Gerry Ryan, Bart Campbell and Matthew Tripp.
NEWCASTLE
Owners The Wests Group have stood down up to 1200 staff and placed them on leave entitlements after closing down their six licensed clubs across NSW.
However CEO Phil Gardner says the football club is secure.
PARRAMATTA
Parramatta Leagues Club are the major financial backers, and like every other licensed venue in the country, have been forced to close their doors.
The leagues club posted $2.2m profit last year and have $70m in assets.
PENRITH
The Panthers’ five leagues clubs have all closed their doors.
Group boss Brian Fletcher has told News Corp the clubs, along with the football club, are expecting a $40 million loss over the next six months.
SOUTH SYDNEY
One of the league’s safest with a league-high 28,413 members, as well as Russell Crowe and James Packer holding a 75 per cent ownership.
Retired legend Sam Burgess will get two weeks’ pay before being let go.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Partially privatised by WIN Corporation and appear to be financially viable.
The Dragons also have 15,035 registered members, but will be relieved to also receive their NRL grant.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
The back-to-back reigning premiers are well-backed by the Easts Group, who last year posted $76 million revenue.
Chairman Nick Politis, who made $290m in two months last year, is one of the game’s heaviest hitters.
WARRIORS
They’ve returned from their temporary Gold Coast home, and CEO Cameron George says they will at least be self-sufficient in the short term.
They have nearly 13,000 members and are bank-rolled by long-standing New Zealand manufacturing company Autex Industries.
WESTS TIGERS
The Tigers are debt free but not helped by the closure of pubs and clubs given they’re backed by Wests Ashfield Leagues Club.
The club boasts a net asset balance of $60 million and bailed out Balmain Leagues Club after the entity went into voluntary administration two years ago.
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