The AFL have released their 2022 financial result and the Total Player Payment (TPP) earnings for last season, revealing that the league made a multi-million dollar profit in their bounce back from the Covid-19 related disruptions.

The league recorded a profit of $20.7 million in 2022, a world away from their underlying operating loss of $46.1 million in 2021.

AFL Commission Chair Richard Goyder credited two seasons of the AFLW and a thrilling AFL campaign for the increase in profits, returning to pre-covid levels of income.

โ€œAt the start of 2022 our agenda was to champion the community's bounce back from the Covid19 pandemic and catapult football, at all levels, back to pre-covid levels,โ€ Goyder said.

โ€œIt wasn't without its challenges, however a collective effort from our football community, from our players, coaches and officials, our committed broadcast and corporate partners and especially our football fans, delivered one of our biggest football calendar years on record.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Tyson Stengle of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

โ€œTwo AFLW seasons in the one year, and one of the best AFL seasons in recent memory drove great momentum and, in turn, ensured footy was front and centre all year as communities regained their pre-Covid weekly rituals and rhythms."

The AFL also released the Total Player Payment on Wednesday, revealing that 12 players in the league earned a salary of at least $1 million in 2022. Of that group, three earned in excess of $1.2 million.

While the dozen players were not named, several AFL stars are reported to be in the vicinity of earning north of seven figures, including West Coast's Jeremy McGovern, Richmond's Dustin Martin and Melbourne recruit Brodie Grundy.

Around the league, total funds towards players rose by 10.14%, rising from ย $233.9 million in 2021 to $257.6 million last year.

The released figures show the continued annual growth of player salaries, with the average player wage now $406,000. In 2012, the majority of listed players (199) were earning between $100,000-$200,000.

In further evidence of the salary growth, just one listed player in the league earned under $60,000. Just over two decades ago in 2000, there were 87 players in that pay bracket.

Around the league, a total of $337.5 million of AFL profits was used to fund the competition's 18 clubs.