Top four, not bust: Tigers respond to alarming financial revelation

Top four, not bust: Tigers respond to alarming financial revelation

The Tigers have taken a battering on and off the field in recent seasons, resulting in a league-worst financial return in 2024.

A leaked NRL document, obtained by Code Sports, showed the Tigers had a total commercial revenue of just $13.4 million last season, a stark contrast to the league-leading Brisbane Broncos鈥 $48.9 million.

REVEALED: EVERY NRL CLUB鈥橲 COMMERCIAL REVENUE

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Chief executive Shane Richardson has responded to revelations the Wests Tigers finished last among all 17 NRL clubs in terms of financial performance for the 2024 season, declaring they have taken significant steps to address their issues and that they鈥檙e on a path to recovery.

The Tigers ranked last in overall commercial revenue, commercial corporate revenue ($6.9m), corporate hospitality revenue ($600,000) and membership ($1.5m). Richardson acknowledged the Tigers鈥 plight, but argued the club had enjoyed a strong uplift this season, as they attempt to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon.

鈥淭he club has made significant strides this season across all key metrics, however, we will not rest on our laurels as we strive towards being a top-four club,鈥 Richardson said.

According to the Tigers, they have experienced a 51 per cent year-on-year growth in hospitality revenue and 27 per cent increase in both game-day and membership revenue, with 16 per cent jumps in sponsorship and merchandise sales respectively.

鈥淲e have come a long way, but the job isn鈥檛 done yet,鈥 Richardson said.

The Tigers attribute their 2025 commercial growth 鈥渋n large part to the introduction of CommBank Stadium as a home venue鈥.

Last year, the Tigers split their home games with five at Campbelltown Stadium and another five at Leichhardt Oval, both of which lack the modern facilities needed to generate meaningful financial returns.

The Tigers are reporting a 24 per cent increase in game-day crowds from last season, and an eight per cent growth in TV viewership.

鈥淭he club has stressed the importance of playing at state-of-the-art venues and has made a strategic move to CommBank Stadium as a home venue, which has already shown positive results,鈥 Richardson said.

Despite five straight losses, the last three have come by only four-point margins, and the Tigers鈥 five wins this year are already more than they managed during the entire 2024 season (four).

Originally published as Every NRL club鈥檚 commercial, membership and game-day revenue revealed in secret document

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