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Mark Reason05:00, May 09 2021
MORNING REPORT/RNZ
Experts discussed the proposed $387 million investment in New Zealand Rugby by American equity giant Silver Lake. (Video first published on April 29.)
OPINION: Argentina fans don’t get to see the magical Lionel Messi play except on their television sets. Brazil fans would have to hop on a flight to Paris to get a living glimpse of Neymar’s impossible skills. So why then is New Zealand Rugby so intent on doing a deal that risks many of its best players going overseas? If you cut player wages, as the Silver Lake deal proposes, then it is logical to expect more and more top players to go overseas. And what then, because you can bet your bottom dollar that Silver Lake will want Beaudie and Richie playing for the All Blacks. They will be nudging NZR to change the rules on overseas representation, and then even more will head for the airport.
Tracy Withers, Bloomberg News CHOFU, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 01: New Zealand player Joe Moody breaks away to score the opening try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Bronze Final match between New Zealand and Wales at Tokyo Stadiumon November 01, 2019 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) , Photographer: Stu Forster/Getty Images AsiaPac
(Bloomberg) New Zealand Rugbyâs ambitious plans to sell a slice of revenue to a private equity investor could be stymied by the nationâs leading players, who fear control of the iconic All Blacks brand may be lost.
Silver Lake Management LLC has pledged to invest NZ$387 million ($278 million) into the game by taking a 12.5% stake in a new entity that will own the commercial revenue from the All Blacks brand. Last week, the provincial unions that govern the game gave New Zealand Rugby officials clearance to finalize the Silver Lake deal. But it still needs the consent of th
It has created a stalemate situation, with the players believing they now have to air their concerns publicly because of the way the situation is playing out. They firmly reject what they call a “false narrative” that is their desire to drive up their slice of the pie as a key sticking point. In essence New Zealand’s rugby players are wondering what all the rush is about to hustle through a deal of this magnitude without giving it the depth of investigation and conversation that should be required for such a game-changing arrangement. Their own slice of the game’s commercial revenue they generate remains fixed at its 36.56 per cent threshold.