CVC - Rugby Pioneers or Profiteer?

Bigmal wrote: You are spot on with final sentence so I must conclude that CVC will attempt to "sweat" its asset(s) in rue PE style. Problem is that International rugby followed in the N Hemisphere by Champions Cup remain the big draws ( later rounds in the case of the CC). The Prem does attract decent crows particularly for local derbies but is the standard good enough? Having watched a run of poor or one sided games the cost ( to a casual supporter) of £30-60 is probably too much. Given the issues that have emerged of late ( financial problems with the RFU and SRFU) I'm not holding my breath. As a mater of interest how financially sound are the Welsh,Irish,french and Italian Unions?

Edited by One For The Ditch - 28 Feb 2020 at 14:58

Camquin wrote: No Kerry Packer offered the Australian Board money to show tests and was turned down. He then organised a rebel tour and ensured the players got more of the TV money (which previously had been going to blazers or down the drain. He also revolutionised coverage - being the first to have a camera at both ends of the pitch. He was after all primarily a TV man. And then day night games so working australians could watch - either at the match or as he prefered on TV. So in the end he did a lot of good for the game. CVC did nothing to the format of F! - indeed they left Bernie in charge. Bernie was initially great for the sport. But went on far too long. Not sure what if anything they would do for rugby.

Just about spot on with everything in this post!

I'm not sure I can express it better than Alan Tyers' final para in today's Torygraph:

Exactly right - I'm not saying that ALL PE outfits are bad but in the case of rugby professionalism is dividing the game.

As an aside ( and relevant to the identification of prospects at 16 ) I note that S Africa appear to have a huge problem with performance/size enhancing drugs if article on BBC website anything to go by. I know there are issues within the UK and beyond but it is a worrying trend which is likely to put people off playing recreationally.

Like many posting on this forum I played for many years straight from school mainly at 2nd/3rd team level which was most enjoyable especially when coaching and fitness training extended down to the lower teams. I just don't see that level anymore when I watch games at clubs below the National level.

Is there a possibility that this initiative will drive clubs to form breakaway leagues similar to the set up in Lancashire?

The Times yesterday said CVC's stake in 6N will be around 15% which gives them the same as each of the six nations, which hopefully means those concerned can 'grow a pair' and express their opposition to the game leaving free-to-air TV after March 2021...

islander wrote: The Times yesterday said CVC's stake in 6N will be around 15% which gives them the same as each of the six nations, which hopefully means those concerned can 'grow a pair' and express their opposition to the game leaving free-to-air TV after March 2021...

The problem is that this subject will form part of the discussions for the purchase, along the lines of:
‘We have 300 million of your British pounds that we are willing to split between you for 1 7th of your business, on the proviso that all potential TV revenues are maximized’
Looking at the state of the finances in the various RFU’s, I can’t see any of them resisting the pull of hard cash.