Brumbies to post loss on crowds, injuries
Brumbies boss Andrew Fagan says falling crowds and injuries are set to push the finances of the Super Rugby franchise into deficit for 2011.
Fagan said the 2011 season was a "challenging environment" with the side experiencing their worst campaign - two wins from 13 matches.
"We're still hoping to break even, but the likelihood is we'll be presenting a small loss," Fagan told ABC radio on Thursday.
"Our crowds are down.
"We've also had a couple of hundred thousand dollars-plus in injury expenses, given our massive injury toll, and the upgrade to contracts that leads to."
The Brumbies chief executive said it was "always a worry" for the business to turn from a profit to a loss.
"We made a profit last year, the only Australian team to do so.
"We're proud of that and we want that to continue."
As the on-field losses have accumulated this season, crowds have fallen.
Crowds at the past two matches in Canberra, albeit against South African sides, have hovered at 12-year lows.
This season's average crowd of 13,304, with one match left, would be the lowest since 1999.
The 2011 season average was 41 per cent lower than the 22,700 mark in 2004, when the Brumbies won the last of their two Super Rugby titles.
Fagan said his side was not the only Super Rugby franchise taking a hit financially.
"I have just come from two days of meetings at the ARU (Australian Rugby Union)," he said.
"My understanding is that all New Zealand teams will lose money and probably two or three of the Australian teams will break even or lose money."
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