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Infront’s vice president Christian Müller has warned Europe’s leading rugby unions against agreeing a deal with a private equity firm which would derail plans for a global Test tournament backed by the international rights agency.
Infront has put up UK£5 billion (US$6.6 billion) for broadcast and sponsorship rights to a prospective Nations Championship over 12 years, which World Rugby hopes will persuade the sport’s unions and stakeholders to unite the rugby calendar.
If World Rugby were able to engineer a deal, the governing body says it would allow the sport’s broadcast revenue to be shared more equally as part of a revised format that would combine the existing Six Nations and an expanded Rugby Championship.
However, reports have surfaced in recent months claiming that the Six Nations unions have held secret talks with up to four financial equity companies, including entertaining a UK£500 million offer from CVC, which would effectively end World Rugby’s plans for a combined world league.
Speaking to the Guardian, Müller said that World Rugby’s proposal is “an opportunity to radically transform the game”, although he expressed that to achieve financial equality required a “fair balance between free-to-air and pay TV”.
“We want to make rugby more popular throughout the world, not just in higher viewing figures but by increasing engagement. If you put a sport or an event exclusively on pay TV, you will kill it,” Müller told the British newspaper.
“It is up to World Rugby and the unions to reach an agreement. It is important the unions do not look for a short-term fix and we are prepared to address any of their concerns. This plan puts international rugby into a competitive framework and would make it more attractive.”
Earlier this month, several high-profile players complained that a World League would place more strain on player welfare, while Premiership Rugby, in England, and the French National League (LNR) expressed concerns that changes would hinder the availability of their club’s marquee players.
Though World Rugby argues that its proposal involves minimal changes and would cut the amount of Test matches per year – even with a final earmarked at the end of the Autumn International window – there are still concerns around plans to introduce relegation and promotion to Europe’s premier Test tournament.
“I understand concerns about relegation and a lot of change and disruption is not good for a sport,” Müller continued, “but with football (soccer) so strong and various other forms of entertainment posing threats, rugby has to look beyond its strongholds.
“The strength of this plan is that it offers both income and exposure, guaranteeing stability.”
According to the Guardian, relegation would not be introduced until 2033, at which time any team relegated would receive a parachute payment.
Infront’s vice president Christian Müller has warned Europe’s leading rugby unions against agreeing a deal with a private equity firm which would derail plans for a global Test tournament backed by the international rights agency.
Infront has put up UK£5 billion (US$6.6 billion) for broadcast and sponsorship rights to a prospective Nations Championship over 12 years, which World Rugby hopes will persuade the sport’s unions and stakeholders to unite the rugby calendar.
If World Rugby were able to engineer a deal, the governing body says it would allow the sport’s broadcast revenue to be shared more equally as part of a revised format that would combine the existing Six Nations and an expanded Rugby Championship.
However, reports have surfaced in recent months claiming that the Six Nations unions have held secret talks with up to four financial equity companies, including entertaining a UK£500 million offer from CVC, which would effectively end World Rugby’s plans for a combined world league.
Speaking to the Guardian, Müller said that World Rugby’s proposal is “an opportunity to radically transform the game”, although he expressed that to achieve financial equality required a “fair balance between free-to-air and pay TV”.
“We want to make rugby more popular throughout the world, not just in higher viewing figures but by increasing engagement. If you put a sport or an event exclusively on pay TV, you will kill it,” Müller told the British newspaper.
“It is up to World Rugby and the unions to reach an agreement. It is important the unions do not look for a short-term fix and we are prepared to address any of their concerns. This plan puts international rugby into a competitive framework and would make it more attractive.”
Earlier this month, several high-profile players complained that a World League would place more strain on player welfare, while Premiership Rugby, in England, and the French National League (LNR) expressed concerns that changes would hinder the availability of their club’s marquee players.
Though World Rugby argues that its proposal involves minimal changes and would cut the amount of Test matches per year – even with a final earmarked at the end of the Autumn International window – there are still concerns around plans to introduce relegation and promotion to Europe’s premier Test tournament.
“I understand concerns about relegation and a lot of change and disruption is not good for a sport,” Müller continued, “but with football (soccer) so strong and various other forms of entertainment posing threats, rugby has to look beyond its strongholds.
“The strength of this plan is that it offers both income and exposure, guaranteeing stability.”
According to the Guardian, relegation would not be introduced until 2033, at which time any team relegated would receive a parachute payment.
