Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

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josie andrews
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Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by josie andrews »

It is understood preliminary discussions have been made with an unnamed company about injecting capital into Super League

Talks have begun about a potential multi-million-pound investment by private equity into Super League, in what could be a game-changing move for British rugby league.

Bringing new investment into the competition and increasing revenue streams has been the mandate of Super League chief executive Robert Elstone, who assumed the position in June last year after the competition split away from the control of the Rugby Football League.

Private equity firms have bought expensive ownership stakes in sports such as Formula One, football and Moto GP in recent years.

Premiership Rugby sold a minority shareholding in its competition to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for a reported £230 million in December 2018.

It is understood preliminary discussions have been made with an unnamed company about possibly injecting capital into Super League.

While the talks are at very early stage, i has been told more than one meeting with head office and Super League clubs has already taken place.

At a crossroads

With Super League’s broadcasting contract with Sky up for renewal at the end of 2021, the sport is at a crucial juncture. Crowds and attendances have plateaued and the competition’s best players are often lured to rugby union or to the National Rugby League in Australia.

Private investment would help re-energise Super League and fund a greater emphasis on marketing and promotion of the sport. Currently the competition has 11 English clubs and one French club competing in it, though Canadian outfit Toronto Wolfpack are poised to achieve promotion for 2020.

One source confirmed that if a deal can be struck that would bring serious capital into Super League, then it could completely change the landscape of rugby league in the UK.

“If it comes off and is similar to what’s happened in rugby union, wouldn’t it be amazing?” he said.

“It could take us to the places we’ve all been aspiring to go. We’re more forward-thinking with Robert on board, without the shackles of the previous regime.

“So it would be really, really good if we could get some sort of investment, not just for each club, but for the wider game marketing-wise, entertainment-wise, on matchdays.

“You could start spending money on areas that have been lacking for years and years. For me, it’s got to go into youth development, into community clubs, not frittered away on players and agents.

“We’ve got to be sensible about it.”

‘They are not blind to the game’s challenges’

Another high-placed source revealed that while discussions with the investment firm are in the nascent stage, they have been promising.

“These people have been impressive,” the source said.

“They are thorough and absolutely aware of Super League’s pros and cons. They’re not blind to the game’s challenges.”

Super League declined to comment when contacted.

https://inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/ ... t-elstone/
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fozzieskem
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Re: Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by fozzieskem »

The game is crying out for fresh investment so let’s hope this story has legs behind it.
medlocke
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Re: Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by medlocke »

Let's hop any money invested stays in SL and doesn't somehow get filtered down to non SL clubs like the tv money did
Last edited by medlocke on Wed Jul 10, 2019 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
fozzieskem
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Re: Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by fozzieskem »

medlocke wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 11:17 am Let's hop any money invested stays in SL and doesn't somehow get filtered down to no SL clubs like the tv money did
I’d assume this has only the SL behind it,don’t forget separate entities now the SL and the RFL,no way the old guard will get their hands on any new money
Caboosegg
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Re: Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by Caboosegg »

if this is a serious and realistic option you have to ask what the hell have the RLF being doing for years.
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fozzieskem
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Re: Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by fozzieskem »

Caboosegg wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 1:46 pm if this is a serious and realistic option you have to ask what the hell have the RLF being doing for years.
Plenty of time for RFL bashing if and when this comes off, by the sounds of it its early days yet..
up the junction
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Re: Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by up the junction »

medlocke wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 11:17 am Let's hop any money invested stays in SL and doesn't somehow get filtered down to non SL clubs like the tv money did
“You could start spending money on areas that have been lacking for years and years. For me, it’s got to go into youth development, into community clubs, not frittered away on players and agents. ?????

This doesn’t sound like it’s only Super League.
thegimble
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Re: Super League in talks over multi-million-pound investment which could revolutionise rugby league

Post by thegimble »

up the junction wrote: Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:20 am
medlocke wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2019 11:17 am Let's hop any money invested stays in SL and doesn't somehow get filtered down to non SL clubs like the tv money did
“You could start spending money on areas that have been lacking for years and years. For me, it’s got to go into youth development, into community clubs, not frittered away on players and agents. ?????

This doesn’t sound like it’s only Super League.
So we carry on as we are then. Biggest priority if SL gets cash rich is make sure the players get richer first. All the best well almost all the best players from our youth system recently has gone to the NRL. We need to compete with them financially or the player drain will continue.

Rugby League will thrive in this country only when we can get the best players up here and keep the best that we produce. SL can no longer pay and help the lower divisions if they can not afford to compete with the NRL. Would the premier league have been so big if they cared about the lower divisions.
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