IRB’s cash cow boast
21 May 2007
The International Rugby Board (IRB) confirmed total revenues of £53 million for the period ending December 31, 2006.
The figure is approximately 20% better than budget for this period.
News agencies reported that the vast majority of revenue generated continues to be in respect of Rugby World Cup 2007, which is already guaranteed to set a record for gross revenue for a Rugby World Cup. Total expenditures for the year of £32 million were in line with budget
for the period and are analysed below.
IRB head of finance Robert Brophy said: “Rugby World Cup 2007 in France promises to be a huge commercial success. Broadcasting deals for the tournament have already been completed in the major territories such as France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, representing a substantial increase on Rugby World Cup 2003.
“We are also pleased to have completed significantly enhanced broadcast deals in the emerging Rugby markets of Russia, India, USA and Romania and there has also been significant growth in the corporate travel and hospitality and official suppliership markets.
“All six worldwide partner packages were completed last year and each of the partners; EDF, Visa, SNCF, Societe Generale, Peugeot and GMF will add greatly to the profile and success of the Rugby World Cup. The IRB is committed to major development of the game worldwide. This commitment resulted in an extra £30 million being invested in the game at tier 1 and tier 2 union levels as part of the unprecedented, three-year global strategic investment programme that was launched in August 2005. This also includes significant investment for targeted tier 3 unions of up to £1.3 million. This massive injection of funds is primarily targeted at strategic high performance programmes, including union management, playing infrastructure and new tournament structures. This sum supplements the existing union development grants of £6.3 million and tournament grants of £5.4 million that the IRB already invests annually in its 115 member unions and means that £65.1 million will have been distributed by the IRB for the global development of the game in the three years to December 2008.”
Brophy added that this investment has also resulted in the implementation of exciting new international competitions across the globe, including the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, IRB Pacific nations Cup, IRB North America 4 and IRB Nations Cup in Europe as well as enhanced funding for the Churchill Cup and various regional tournaments in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
In addition, the IRB has also provided significant funding and additional key human resources for all tier 2 nations.
8 Comments
21 May 2007, 17:16 pm
Wow that all, could just about aford Beckham for that amount.
21 May 2007, 17:18 pm
Is that good or bad? Don’t do economics…
21 May 2007, 20:50 pm
ja, its pretty good, as long as rugby is developing in some parts of the world, and IRB dont report any losses. however these are very small figures if rugby is truly to become a force reckoned with globally.
but who cares the sport itself is growing within many communitioes. its winning hearts!
Here in Warsaw (Poland) only 1 year was needed for 2 clubs to grow its players base double what it was. the word is being spread, suddenly in Warsaw today somehow a lot more is poken about it. I can literally see it growing, new faces every training. the good thing is that once they start training they enjoy the culture so much that they just stay at the clubs. most of them doint return to local soccer clubs.
21 May 2007, 20:53 pm
i actually dont want rugby to grow too big. i want that special culture (that for over 100 years have developed with amateurism) retained. For many rugby is a way of life, you grow with character together with the team.
21 May 2007, 22:22 pm
ig; Stokpiel has being ranting again; Stephan Nel has just popped the scoop on 24; what’s your better view?
21 May 2007, 22:46 pm
I wonder if they have a “Hardship loan” option, for unions like Boland, unable to pay the personnel…they should -> first protect what you have, then expand. @ risk of abuse of course.
22 May 2007, 07:12 am
Couldn’t the IRB help Boland? Hehehe
22 May 2007, 08:36 am
If the IRB is seriuos they’ll spend some on helping the second tier nations and sorting out this Euro club takeover. If internationals do not take priority then the game will lose its best feature – international camraderie.
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