ESSENDON has posted a $721,000 profit for 2014 despite mounting expenses over the doping investigation.

Record membership, donations from wealthy supporters and increased sponsorship have returned the club’s finances to the black after a $3.2 million loss last year.

A large amount of Essendon’s expenses this season, including a $1 million payout to former fitness boss Dean Robinson and the failed Federal Court stoush against ASADA, were covered by insurance.

But the bills will continue to climb with the club covering the cost of legal representation for the 34 former and current Bombers issued with infraction notices by the AFL.

An $800,000 instalment of last year’s $2 million AFL fine is due on December 31, with a final $800,000 to be paid by the end of 2015.

“Taking into account the legal costs associated with the ASADA investigation, the club is extremely pleased to record a profit of close to three quarters of a million dollars,” Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell said yesterday.

Campbell said the club had invested another $1.7 million in its new Tullamarine headquarters with club debt reduced from $6.51 million to $3.2 million.

RICHMOND also announced a profit of $1.32 million — the 10th consecutive year of profit for the debt-free Tigers.

“Importantly, we have recorded this result while increasing our football department expenditure by $1.9 million,” Richmond president Peggy O’Neal said.