Sunderland record £1.1 million operating loss in promotion season | OneFootball

Sunderland posted an operating loss of £1.1 million for 2024/25, the season they won promotion via a Wembley play-off final, an improvement of £7 million on the previous accounts.

The club said promotion was achieved without parachute payments and with operating costs well below rivals, crediting the Stadium of Light, an engaged fanbase and a strong bond with the city.

A quirk of the period delivered about £45,000,000 profit on player sales, with the exits of Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson inside it, while much of the summer recruitment will be recognised next year. Since the 31 July cut-off, the day after Granit Xhaka’s arrival, net transfer fees payable total £47,346,348. Promotion bonuses pushed staff costs above £50,000,000.

Turnover rose by £2.1 million to £40.3 million, helped by higher gate receipts and sponsorship and a £2,000,000 boost from the EFL’s new Sky Sports deal. Nearly £10,000,000 was invested in club facilities.

Top-flight football will lift costs in the next accounts, but revenue is also set to climb.

Debt to parent company Mercator remains £19,820,000, with £25,216,788 owed to Akira BV, a company linked to the Louis-Dreyfus family, which accrues interest.

On the pitch, Sunderland started strongly, stayed in the play-off places, then beat Coventry on aggregate after extra time in the semi-final second leg at the Stadium of Light. A 95th-minute winner from winger Tommy Watson sealed promotion at Wembley.

Source: Sunderland Echo