@MarsCI agree with you 100%. Rugby participation (in terms of...

@MarsC

I agree with you 100%. Rugby participation (in terms of young players specifically and fans more generally) has been dwindling for years now. NZR do need to find the best deals moving forward that help it to increase both participation and revenue over time. I am sure that SL will be looking to maximise $, but NZR have the responsibility of ensuring they do not lose sight of the bigger picture.

Just look at the Super League fiasco in Europe...a timely reminder for NZR I think.

Also, it is important to note that SL are not buying 12.5% of NZR. They are buying 12.5% of a new JV company being set up that will be in charge of handling the commercial side of the business. SL will own one eighth of the new JV and NZR will own seven eights. Increasing commercial revenue through this JV over time is going to be very important to both NZR and SL... but NZR as a separate business have much wider responsibilities than just profit maximisation.

Which is why it is a good move by Sky to put Tex in this new role that focusses on helping all sporting codes (focus will be with rugby, I am sure) to help leverage Sky capabilities to increase fan engagement, participation and attendance to live matches. We all saw what sport being played in empty stadia looked like during the lockdowns and it sucked balls for the players as well as the viewers at home.
Sky recently worked with Sky Stadium (Wellington) to develop an app that allows fans to tune in and listen to the live commentary while in attendance. Not sure how popular the app was as I haven't seen any follow-up articles - but it is a neat idea. One of the challenges in the stadium is that you aren't really sure what is happening, who has the ball etc when the players are so far away. Developing these kinds of solutions in partnership with Sky is exactly what these organisations should be doing with Sky to maximise the fan experience.

If Sky can prove their value as a key partner (which is what Sky's business is all about - maintaining relationships/partnerships) then I don't see SL as a threat.

We just don't really know at this stage. To me it seems like the overall deal/relationship they have with Sky as well as opportunities with RugbyPass is something that, on the balance of probabilities, will endure.

But SL may have an entirely different agenda. Even though they only own 1/8th of the new JV...they have still invested a lot of money in this and will want to have a meaningful say in how things are done moving forward. To pretend that their minority stake in the JV renders them powerless would be naive of me I think.