Eels post massive loss

Parramatta has finally experienced success on the field but it has come at a considerable cost, with the football club expected to post another league-high loss of more than $10 million.The Eels played finals football for the first time since their fairytale 2009 grand final appearance after finishing the regular season in fourth place. However, the club's performance off the field wasn't as impressive. Parramatta are still in the process of coming up with an audited figure, but it's expected the result for the financial year will be a loss of at least $10 million.It is only a slightly better result than the previous financial year, a $12 million loss. That outcome was the worst in NRL history as the 16 clubs lost a combined $53.4 million.It was thought that Parramatta's blowout was a one-off; the result of the salary cap scandal, the $750,000 fine that came with it, big payouts to Anthony Watmough and Will Hopoate after contractual disputes, more than $1 million in legal bills, a raft of payouts that came with a turnover in staff and a loss of sponsorship revenue.RELATED ARTICLESCoaches in firing line as NRL looks to curb spendingNRL figures show it's getting harder to buy a premiershipHowever, some underlying issues appear to remain as the Eels continue to be the NRL's biggest spenders at a time when the Brisbane Broncos are the only club consistently in the black.Parramatta went through the entire season without a major sponsor and have yet to sign one for 2018. They are also in a legal dispute with their former major backer, Dyldam, over alleged unpaid bills.The Eels boasted club record membership numbers totalling almost 25,000, the third-highest in the NRL, after emerging from the cap scandal. The Eels are currently playing home matches at ANZ Stadium while their new ground at Parramatta is being built.Upon coming to power, Eels chairman Max Donnelly publicly stated his intention to slash the funding from the Parramatta Leagues Club to the footy club by about half for this financial year. However, a fresh blowout in costs will result in the leagues club cutting another hefty cheque."The accounts are being finalised now, we haven't done them, but I've got a pretty good idea of where we're going to be," Donnelly said. "It's obviously better than last year but not as good as I'd like. There are a whole lot of factors that contribute. Not having a major sponsor is one issue. The deal that was done at ANZ is shocking for us, you can get an extra 10,000 in and get no more money. It is a really bad deal. We virtually make nothing out of playing games of football there."We're stuck with the deal, it was done before I got there. They were worried about where they could play and ANZ was the only place they could play. They rushed into this deal that wasn't very favourable."In a bid to ensure clubs are financially viable, the NRL has increased club grants to 130 per cent of the salary cap. To ensure the money is spent prudently, there will be a soft cap on football department spending of $5.7 million from next season.Regardless, recent history suggests the days of buying premierships are over. Cronulla won their maiden title at a time when they were ranked 15th for football department spending. The Sharks and previous premiers North Queensland and South Sydney have consistently been ranked outside the NRL's top spenders.Donnelly said his goal remained to halve the Eels' reliance on the leagues club and hoped the ambition was achievable next season."That was the goal. We do fund our juniors, there's our rep program," he said."We probably had too many second-tier players. We're addressing a lot of issues. It will certainly be a lot better next year."I would think it would be around $5-$6 million next year."

The French Fullback : I have been a member for many years. In fact, I was at the Leagues Club on Wednesday renewing my membership for 2018 and having a lash at Keno! I wonder how many of those, most vocal on this question of a "massive loss ", are members of the club and thus contributing to the yearly income ? I fancy not many. So put your money where your mouth is, as TFF suggests. I have said and often thought that this site ought to be for members only. I am convinced it would be a forward step. That said, I think there ought to be a forensic analysis of every detail of the loss--how, why, when and where? The loss also illuminates the claim that selected directors are preferable to elected directors. We were told these business types, selected as directors, would bring a new era and set us on the path to financial glory. Of course, I never believed any of that tripe and never will. Max attributes a lot of the blame to the ANZ deal. I am with him there in the sense that I hate that place. I only went to one game there this season and probably will not go to any next season. So my money has gone with the wind! But where else could our games be played whilst the new stadium is being constructed? Fans are not turning up in the numbers required to return a profit on that deal to the Eels. Now for some good news. Whilst at the club on Wednesday at the information desk I stuck up a conversation with one of the trainers of the Eels who are now back in training. He was very upbeat about prospects for 2018 expecting good things. He asked my opinion. I told him I can`t predict the future but was sceptical. He asked why? When I gave some of my reasons he appeared to be changing his position. I did not want that, so changed tact to get information about some players. I asked him if he thought Semi would be back? He was quiet adamant that Semi would not be back saying, why would he when he is getting $500,000 per year more in France than at the Eels? A powerful argument. I took that to be his own opinion and not reflecting the opinion of the Eels management.I asked about Clint Gutherson (spelling?) . He reported most positively on Clint`s recovery implying that he is ahead of schedule. He said something about some apparatus or method or both that protects his knee and enables him to do some early training. It is apparent that the club is looking after him very well.

"Hope Sam continues where he left off...he is a star in the making. Can't remember the last time I've missed a new rookie as much (ooops apart from Ryley last week)"

"Relief! Wished it was longer. This guy is gonna be our backbone full of energy spirited and tough.
cant believe work we've done in recruiting and back ups too, compared to this time last year our squad is entirely remade. Lots of hard work and…"

"That would be awesome Will, unfortunately we only get 8 interchanges these days. In 2000 when PJ etc was with us it was unlimited interchange. In 2001 it was changed to 12 interchanges. I'm not really sure you want to use up 3 or 4 interchanges…"

Replies

The Ape November 9, 2017 at 10:05pm

Proszenko article. How does he know this before its announced. Snakes in the grass.
- 0knhyhovshrm6 > The Ape November 10, 2017 at 7:47am
  
  Change the headline Apey....."Eels post predictable loss" "Eels loss takes them forward" "eels loss investment for the future" "Eels cut losses by nearly 20%" "Loss you had to have" "Donelly says we are moving forward"
  
  Common Mr Ape, you told me you are a tree dweller....get out there and get a few "lines" showing!
Alan Hunt November 9, 2017 at 10:07pm

Didn't Sharp and his band of simpletons sign off on the ANZ deal just before they were rissoled???

The clowns decisions are still hurting the club.
- Gucci Flip Flops > Alan Hunt November 9, 2017 at 10:29pm
  
  When does the deal end?
This reply was deleted.
- The Ape November 9, 2017 at 10:20pm
  
  Maybe. I got the impression though that he went to Max with the story and a fig of $10m. Max doesn't give him a figure. It reads to me as though Max is responding to being confronted with the question of a blowout - info that is pure gold to Max's enemies.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown November 9, 2017 at 10:48pm

This was always expected, a fair of that is result of the drama of the year before and having to dig ourselves out of the mess.
- Rowdy Roddy > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown November 10, 2017 at 12:44am
  
  Very supportive Snake, maybe you are a Parra fan after all. ;)
- 0knhyhovshrm6 > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown November 10, 2017 at 7:49am
  
  Well said Snakey, you are spot on and any comments can then come from a positive perspective!
The French Fullback #1 November 10, 2017 at 12:44am

All of us can help. If League fans bothered to get memberships like AFL fans, we could give the club a massive financial boost. Even if people only bought the cheapest m'ship (non-ticketed at $80) it would add a decent chunk of money. We have 500K fans in Aus and just under 5% are members. For example, I'd imagine if you read this comment and site regularly, you're more than just a casual once a year fan. Get a membership. $80 is 2-3 hours of work max. There is no reason we couldn't have 50,000 members. People will say the club isn't good enough or doesn't provide value for money. At the end of the day, the club either means as much as you say it does to you, or it doesn't. If the AFL can manage it, we can too. Maybe we just don't care or want it enough? People say the Eels fans are so passionate and loyal. It's time that membership and attendance gave those sorts of statements some concrete evidence rather than just a stereotype.
- Robert Lloyd > The French Fullback #1 November 10, 2017 at 10:56am
  
  The French Fullback : I have been a member for many years. In fact, I was at the Leagues Club on Wednesday renewing my membership for 2018 and having a lash at Keno! I wonder how many of those, most vocal on this question of a "massive loss ", are members of the club and thus contributing to the yearly income ? I fancy not many. So put your money where your mouth is, as TFF suggests. I have said and often thought that this site ought to be for members only. I am convinced it would be a forward step. That said, I think there ought to be a forensic analysis of every detail of the loss--how, why, when and where? The loss also illuminates the claim that selected directors are preferable to elected directors. We were told these business types, selected as directors, would bring a new era and set us on the path to financial glory. Of course, I never believed any of that tripe and never will. Max attributes a lot of the blame to the ANZ deal. I am with him there in the sense that I hate that place. I only went to one game there this season and probably will not go to any next season. So my money has gone with the wind! But where else could our games be played whilst the new stadium is being constructed? Fans are not turning up in the numbers required to return a profit on that deal to the Eels. Now for some good news. Whilst at the club on Wednesday at the information desk I stuck up a conversation with one of the trainers of the Eels who are now back in training. He was very upbeat about prospects for 2018 expecting good things. He asked my opinion. I told him I can`t predict the future but was sceptical. He asked why? When I gave some of my reasons he appeared to be changing his position. I did not want that, so changed tact to get information about some players. I asked him if he thought Semi would be back? He was quiet adamant that Semi would not be back saying, why would he when he is getting $500,000 per year more in France than at the Eels? A powerful argument. I took that to be his own opinion and not reflecting the opinion of the Eels management.I asked about Clint Gutherson (spelling?) . He reported most positively on Clint`s recovery implying that he is ahead of schedule. He said something about some apparatus or method or both that protects his knee and enables him to do some early training. It is apparent that the club is looking after him very well.

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This reply was deleted.

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