Koch is new Port president: reports

Updated October 01, 2012 19:40:53

Sydney-based Seven Network identity David Koch is reportedly set to be named Port Adelaide's new president.

Koch, host of Seven's breakfast program Sunrise and with a background in finance journalism, has been anointed the Power's next leader by various media outlets.

Adelaide newspaper The Advertiser's website says the Power are set to adopt five new board members including Koch.

The Age also reported Koch would be named president on Tuesday, but that an announcement on ex-coach Matthew Primus's replacement was not expected.

A Port official said on Monday the club would not comment about the speculation.

Power president Brett Duncanson announced in August he would stand down in December.

Koch is the Power's number one ticket holder and, if the report is correct, would follow in the footsteps of fellow television personalities and AFL club presidents Eddie McGuire (Collingwood) and James Brayshaw (North Melbourne).

While on-field success has been limited in the past few seasons, Koch's biggest challenge would be turning around the club's perilous financial state from afar.

He would also offer a profile beyond South Australia.

The AFL Commission and the SA Football Commission are helping fund the debt-ridden AFL club.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000, sa

First posted October 01, 2012 19:29:26

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AFL reports loss for first time in a decade

Updated February 17, 2012 13:51:47

The cost of the AFL's new teams Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney has led to the league making an operating loss for the first time in a decade.

Figures released on Friday show the AFL has recorded a deficit of $23.6 million.

And league boss Andrew Demetriou took a $400,000 pay cut last year, bringing home $1.8 million compared to $2.2 million in 2010.

AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick says the rare loss will be quickly made up.

"The AFL commission is aiming to recoup the net loss during the next five years by generating profits of at least this amount," Fitzpatrick said.

The AFL recorded record revenue of $343 million - a two per cent increase - and an operating surplus of $234 million, up from $230 million.

Clubs were provided with total funding of $159 million.

Fitzpatrick said new television and digital media rights would be critical for financial growth in the near future.

Demetriou's salary included a base payment of $1.4 million and a $400,000 bonus.

The AFL said he was paid more in 2010 because he received a long-term retention bonus that year.

In total the nine-member executive team earned $5.08 million in salaries and bonuses.

The league also released other figures including:

Record participation - 791,178 from the previous mark of 751,015.Record club membership- 650,373 compared to 614,251 in 2010.Average attendance - 34,893 which puts the AFL in the top four in the professional sporting world.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, business-economics-and-finance, australia

First posted February 17, 2012 12:47:01

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