The club's accounts for the year ending July 2011 revealed a net operating loss of £31.2m.
"We must keep our wages structured and realistic," chief executive Margaret Byrne said.
"It means being tough with the players and being more creative with contracts."
American billionaire Ellis Short, who owns Sunderland, has insisted that the club will conform with UEFA's financial fair play rules.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sunderland | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 25 | 11 | 14 | 31 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 31 |
| 3 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 29 |
| 4 | Burnley | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 27 |
| 5 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 15 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 25 |
| 6 | Watford | 15 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 25 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 24 |
| 8 | Millwall | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 23 |
| 9 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 22 |
| 10 | Bristol City | 15 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 22 |
| 11 | Swansea CitySwansea | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 19 |
| 12 | Derby CountyDerby | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 13 | Stoke CityStoke | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 19 |
| 14 | Norwich CityNorwich | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 18 |
| 15 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 25 | -8 | 18 |
| 16 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 17 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 16 |
| 18 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 26 | -11 | 16 |
| 19 | Hull City | 15 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 20 | -4 | 15 |
| 20 | Preston North EndPreston | 15 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 15 |
| 21 | Luton TownLuton | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 26 | -9 | 15 |
| 22 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 23 | -9 | 15 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 12 |
| 24 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 15 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 25 | -13 | 10 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
