Sunderland post £1.1m operating loss in promotion season as accounts published | OneFootball

Sunderland have published accounts for their 2024/25 promotion campaign, reporting an operating loss of £1.1 million.

According to Sunderland Echo, the figures are a £7 million improvement on the previous year and highlight promotion without parachute payments while keeping operating costs below many rivals.

A quirk of the period saw profit on player sales of around £45 million, with the exits of Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson falling inside the window. Much of the subsequent summer recruitment sits outside it and will be recognised next year. Since the cut-off, net transfer fees payable total £47,346,348, while promotion bonuses pushed staff costs above £50 million.

Turnover rose by £2.1 million to £40.3 million, driven by stronger gate receipts and sponsorship and a £2 million uplift from the EFL’s new Sky Sports deal. The period also included close to £10 million of investment in club facilities.

The accounts point to a relatively healthy position compared to many promoted clubs, though debt has increased. The club owes £19,820,000 to parent company Mercator and £25,216,788 to Akira BV, which accrues interest. Akira BV has strong links to the Louis-Dreyfus family.

On the pitch, Sunderland returned to the Premier League via the play-offs, staying in the top six from the early weeks, edging Coventry in extra time in the semi-final and winning at Wembley with a 95th minute winner by Tommy Watson.

Next season will bring higher costs in the Premier League, and revenues will also rise.

Source: Sunderland Echo