Demetriou's earnings, which included superannuation and a $440,000 bonus, were part of the AFL's official 2012 financial figures released on Monday.
The figures also showed the AFL returned to the black last season, recording a $6.7 million net profit after suffering a $23.6 million net loss in 2011 (its first loss in 10 years).
The 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final between the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn was the most-watched sporting event in Australia last year, with an average national audience of 4.08 million people on the Seven Network.
The AFL's 2012 profit was built on record revenue of $424 million (up $82 million or 24 per cent on 2011) and a record operating surplus of $296 million (up $62 million or 26 per cent on 2011).
The AFL distributed $200 million of its surplus to its 18 clubs, including $30.5 million from the Club Future Fund, $15 million of which was allocated to clubs on a needs basis in an attempt to bridge the growing off-field gap between some clubs.
Other results included:
• Record club membership for the 12th consecutive year, reaching 707,621, up from 650,373 in 2011;
• Total attendance for the NAB Cup, NAB Challenge, premiership season and finals was 7,374,832, down from 7,488,198 in 2011;
• Average attendance per game in the premiership season was 31,509, down from 34,893 in 2011;
• A record 4.78 million people watched broadcasts of each round of the premiership season on free-to-air and subscription television – the largest weekly audience of any sport in Australia;
• The eight members of the AFL executive earned salaries and bonuses totalling $4.5 million, at an average salary package of $562,500.
AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the fall in crowds last season was in line with the AFL's recent expansion.
"Although attendances at AFL matches were down in 2012 when compared to the record levels of 2011, that outcome was consistent with our expectations linked to the fact that expansion clubs Gold Coast Suns and the GWS Giants were participating in 20 per cent of the total number of games," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
"Playing premiership season matches in smaller capacity venues in Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart and Launceston may also have the effect of reducing overall crowds, but the AFL Commission is committed to providing an opportunity for as many people as possible to attend an AFL game."
Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
