Guest: Paul Morgan, Rugby World Editor and Premiership Rugby Comms Director
Running List: The Business of Rugby Episode
1. British Lions Commercial Strategy
- Ticket pricing controversy: Struggling to sell out Dublin match at £163 per ticket
- Major commercial partnerships: Qatar Airways (title sponsor), Patron Saint whisky, Rhino, Oxford Landing, Charles Tyrwhitt, Howden, Canterbury, Fanatics
- Digital strategy: World Rugby/Lions collaboration on RugbyPass App for Australia tour
- Broadcasting: S4C secures Welsh highlights rights, Sky holds exclusive live rights
2. CVC hire Marc Allegra
- Marc Allera (former EE CEO) appointed chairman of newly created CVC SportsCo
- Background: Sega → Three → EE → Jagex chairman (also CVC-owned)
- 27% stake in Premiership Rugby (acquired 2019)
- Six Nations Rugby investment
- Had to bail out Newcastle Falcons amid broader club financial crisis
3. Rebel Franchise series
- Mike Tindall-backed R360 targeting world's top 300 players
- Estimated £300-400m needed to launch
- Aims for 2026 launch with 12 franchises, no relegation
- Salaries roughly double traditional club pay
The Pushback:
- Simon Massie-Taylor (Prem CEO): "Rugby needs roots, not pop-ups" - dismisses as "distraction"
- Andrew Georgiou (TNT Sports): Calls it "commercially unsustainable," compares to LIV Golf
4. Gallagher Prem Rebrand
- Rebranding to "Gallagher Prem" focusing on physicality ("real grit", "raw speed", "big hits")
- 10% growth in interest overall, 30% among 18-34 year-olds
- Plans for US showpiece fixtures ahead of 2031 World Cup
- Club World Cup launch in 2028 as "step forward in global expansion"
5. Red Bull Buying Newcastle Falcons
- Taking on £39m club debt
- First rugby union purchase for Red Bull
- Plans to use brand/marketing expertise to attract younger fans
- Commitment to keep team in Newcastle, eyeing Newcastle United synergies
6. Women's World Cup - Rugby's Lionesses Moment?
- 350,000 tickets already sold, targeting 400,000 stretch goal
- O2 partnership giving customers priority access
- BBC partnership ensuring nationwide accessibility
- Goal to increase women's participation from 25% to 33% by 2029
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