The bank loan that the AFL is seeking to secure the game's future is expected to exceed half a billion dollars.

AFL sources said that the prospective loan or line of credit, which the league will need to effectively fund the shortfalls and keep the competition running without crowds and games, would be greater than $500 million and is a strong chance to exceed $600 million.

The AFL has been in discussions with the NAB, which is the league's banker and corporate partner about seeking credit, but the AFL could also borrow from other lenders, given that the major lender might not want to loan the entire amount sought by the league.

Marvel Stadium: The AFL's valuable asset. Credit:Getty Images/Quinn Rooney

Unlike most major sporting competitions in Australia, the AFL has a major asset in Marvel Stadium that the competition can use as security and borrow against. The AFL also has their future fund of more than $120 million in reserve, but which will not come close to covering the amounts needed for the game to endure the current loss of revenue caused by the coronavirus.