NRL $43M surplus despite COVID-19 chaos

The NRL has reported a $43.1 million surplus for the 2021 season, with ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys declaring the competition's finances are healthier than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

With revenues of $575.1m last year -- a $155.4m (37 per cent) increase on 2020 -- the NRL has begun to reimburse players, as agreed, for taking pay cuts.

The Rugby League Players' Association said the players were contractually entitled to a percentage of the profit for their sacrifice under collective bargaining agreement revisions.

An NRL statement said $5.5m will be paid to players, "ensuring the majority of their 2021 pay reductions are returned ... even though no payment is required until after the 2022 season".

There is a further provision of $5.5m for the players in 2022.

"These amounts were not guaranteed and linked to an out performance bonus calculated at the end of 2022, but the players sacrificed a great deal financially and personally to ensure we completed the season and we wanted to reward their efforts," V'landys said.

Cash grants of $9m to the 16 NRL clubs increased by five per cent to $239.6m.

Prior to COVID-19, the clubs received $203.2m in the 2019 financial year.

The NRL finished last season with $171m in cash reserves, up from $126m at the end of the 2020 financial year.

V'landys said that despite almost $30m in COVID-19 costs, including relocating teams to Queensland hubs to finish last season, the game was in a great position thanks to "significant revenue increases and ongoing efficiencies at NRL head office".

"Most importantly, the Commission has made it a priority to ensure club members and players received increased distributions," he said.

"Many clubs were facing significant financial