What is it about a disaster that makes people think of change and accept things that they would normally dismiss out of hand? The acceptance of CVC’s £70m fora share in the Six Nations should be seen as a mixed blessing, giving large cash injections to all six unions at a time when the losses for all as a result of the continuing lockdown and social distancing seem unending, but with an unknown cost to the game.
The money is set to be divided on a sliding scale depending on the size of each union, with England and France getting the most. It looks as if the other unions have all accepted a reduced amount, with Italy probably getting the least even though it has more players than Wales or Scotland.
Selling a share in the crown jewels of rugby would probably not have been countenanced had it not been for the virus, but the need to fund the professional game in all unions is all-consuming with principals and tradition thrown out the window.
It is probable that a certain number of the ‘bigger’ Six Nations games will, with CVC’s influence, now be sold to pay-to-view television to increase profits, despite the reduced exposure of a smaller audience.
The irony of this situation is for those of us who remember the first time the offer of pay-to-view was made back in 1996, that had it been accepted then the unions probably would not have been in the destitute desperate situation they are now and may not have needed CVC’s intervention.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 12, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 12, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
