Brisbane chairman Tony Kelly says his club remains in a strong financial position despite the Lions recording a financial loss of more than $600,000 for 2009 in a year in which it made the finals for the first time in five years.
The Lions reported a total financial loss on Monday of $603,207 for 2009, which included a $75,000 grant to AFL Queensland to support grassroots community football.
But despite that loss, the Lions remain debt-free with net assets of just under $4 million.
Kelly said 2009 was always going to be a difficult year financially for the club in the wake of the global financial crisis.
"Recording a financial loss is always disappointing, yet there would be few major organisations that remained immune to the global market crunch and the worldwide recession," Kelly said on Monday.
"Members can be assured the club remains extremely diligent in its cost controls and continues to take active steps to grow revenues."
Kelly said the Lions' effort to make the finals for the first time since 2004 was not enough to make up for the dip in corporate revenues as a result of the global financial crisis as well as a fall in the club's merchandise sales as fans also began to tighten their belts.
However the Lions enjoyed a nine percent membership increase - up from 22,737 to 24,873 this year - and on the back of this year's much-improved season and the snaring of dual Coleman Medalist Brendan Fevola from Carlton during the October trade period, the Lions are now looking at signing 30,000 members for the first time in season 2010.
The club's average home crowds also rose by around 1000 fans per game in 2009 from an average of 28,128 per game last year to 29,172 this year while the club has also just announced major sponsorship deals with the Bank of Queensland and Conergy for the next three years.
"And coupled with the launch of our new logo, guernseys, merchandise and recent player acquisitions, 2010 promises to be an exciting time and I think the Lions are the real 'x-factor' team for season 2010," Kelly said.