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

Sunderland have published accounts for 2024/25 showing promotion achieved with an operating loss of £1.1m, a £7m improvement on the previous year, without parachute payments and with comparatively restrained costs.

According to Sunderland Echo, the accounting window captured around £45,000,000 profit on player sales, with Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson departing inside the period, while much of the summer recruitment will land in next year’s figures.

Since the 31 July period end, net transfer fees payable are £47,346,348, and promotion bonuses pushed staff costs above £50,000,000.

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

The board’s notes chart a dramatic play-off run, with a last-second extra-time aggregate win over Coventry at the Stadium of Light, then a 95th-minute winner from Tommy Watson at Wembley sealed promotion.

Off the pitch, Sunderland recorded the Championship’s highest attendances and the ninth highest in England, with gate receipts up 14.3% to £13.3m. Sponsorship rose 67% to £3.9m, and Fanatics and Hummel partnerships drove record retail and shirt sales.

The accounts also show debt of £19,820,000 to parent company Mercator and £25,216,788 to Akira BV, which accrues interest and has strong links to the Louis-Dreyfus family. Premier League participation will lift costs and revenues next season.

Source: Sunderland Echo