PRL announces new BT Sport TV deal which will increase revenues 80%

by quinsforever Tue 17 Mar 2015, 7:24 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31902745

"Premiership Rugby Ltd and BT Sport have announced a new six-year contract for exclusive live rights, understood to be worth around 80% more than the current agreement."

key points:
- re French clubs "It pretty much closes the gap entirely when you look at the underlying numbers of what the Top 14 clubs get." - McCafferty
- "Seventy percent of our players are English-qualified, and that's the level we would like to keep it at."
- new 6 year deal
- doesnt include European games
- salary cap review will take account of future TV revenue streams
- details not out yet
- bit hard to compare to previous deal as that included controversial access to screen English clubs' European games
- but 80% increase is a lot

Excellent new for the AP clubs

McCaff also confirmed they are seriously looking at expanding and ringfencing the AP temporarily.

by Sin é Tue 17 Mar 2015, 8:42 pm

So, how come they are so secretive about how much it is worth?

And why are you getting rid of promotion/relegation. Youve been banging on for a long time now how detrimental it is to the Pro12 and the best league in the world has it?

(Nice of you to provide pension plans for the Pro12 players - I hear Tim Visser is on his way to Quins!)

by quinsforever Tue 17 Mar 2015, 8:48 pm

this is not a thread about the weaknesses of the pro12.

pretty sure there are several of those threads knocking around.

every league has to do what is right for them.

but in competitions where all the leagues take part, each league is entitled to use whatever means necessary to secure the best outcome for itself.

lets not make this thread about the Heiny Cup shall we?

by Sin é Tue 17 Mar 2015, 8:52 pm

Ah, but your Craigs x 2 and McCaff identified non-relegation as a major flaw in the Pro12. I would like to know what has made them change their minds on this? Are the Pro12 well ahead of their time?

by quinsforever Tue 17 Mar 2015, 9:30 pm

they didnt care about relegation in the Pro12 at all, apart from it making Heineken Cup performance easier compared to english and french clubs whose domestic competitions were fierce, and couldnt rest players the same way.

non-relegation is the least of the issues for the Pro12 in terms of improving its appeal.

by Sin é Tue 17 Mar 2015, 9:33 pm

quinsforever wrote:they didnt care about relegation in the Pro12 at all, apart from it making Heineken Cup performance easier compared to english and french clubs whose domestic competitions were fierce, and couldnt rest players the same way.

non-relegation is the least of the issues for the Pro12 in terms of improving its appeal.

They said it was less competitive. Why are they copying the PRO 12 and turning it into a less competitive league?

by quinsforever Tue 17 Mar 2015, 10:09 pm

pro12 is less competitive. not just because of not having relegation though.

not having london welsh in the aviva will turn the aviva into a more competitive league. apols to any LW fans (are there actually any?)

on the skysports website, if you do the dropdown looking for AP teams, they only have 11. apparently even SKY have forgotten LW exist.

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/competitions/aviva-premiership

by **LondonTiger** Tue 17 Mar 2015, 10:25 pm

McCafferty has also confirmed plans are well underway to expand the Premiership, in the process temporarily scrapping promotion and relegation.
"Teams need a certain amount of time to prepare for life in the Premiership," he said.
"We'll discuss that with the RFU, and if that means the Premiership expands by a club or two over the next few years, then so be it if that's in the interests of rugby."
However, McCafferty says Championship clubs can still aspire for Premiership status, in the same way Exeter have successfully bridged the gap between the two leagues.
"It must be possible for us to look at more creative ways to allow the possibility for the Exeters to come through, but not to throw clubs in at the deep end who aren't possibly ready for life in the Premiership."

by yappysnap Wed 18 Mar 2015, 8:25 am

Seems sensible enough.

So I guess the salary cap will keep going up incrimentaly to reflect the clubs getting more money from tv deals.

by Exiledinborders Wed 18 Mar 2015, 8:56 am

Sin é wrote:
quinsforever wrote:they didnt care about relegation in the Pro12 at all, apart from it making Heineken Cup performance easier compared to english and french clubs whose domestic competitions were fierce, and couldnt rest players the same way.

non-relegation is the least of the issues for the Pro12 in terms of improving its appeal.

They said it was less competitive. Why are they copying the PRO 12 and turning it into a less competitive league?

They are not getting rid of promotion and relegation just changing the way a club can move up to the top level. What is required is that clubs can move up if they have the finance to survive and have made preparations to survive. Clubs should be relegated if over a few seasons they have shown themselves to be uncompetitive. The currentvsystem does not work. I would have preferred that it did. We cannot however have another London Welsh fiasco.

There are a whole raft of reasons why the Pro12 was less competitive the main one being automatic HC qualification for some and semi automatic qualification for others. I do not think relegation was The largest issue given that the English clubs in the HC were by definition those who were safe from relegation. Those who have played in both generally say that the AP is more relentlessly competitive than the Pro12.

Returning to topic however the best thing about this deal is the length of the contract. It gives the basis for longer term decision making.

by Sin é Wed 18 Mar 2015, 9:15 am

The Craig's x 2 and McCaff claimed that the reason why the Irish Provinces were so successful in the Heineken Cup was because there was no relegation so that teams could rest up for big Heineken Cup games.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 18 Mar 2015, 9:58 am

Sounds like they want to re implement the promotion criteria the LW law suit overcame. That makes sense. LW have shown why the RFU were right to demand a certain level of resource before AP promotion.

by Exiledinborders Wed 18 Mar 2015, 10:43 am

Sin é wrote:The Craig's x 2 and McCaff claimed that the reason why the Irish Provinces were so successful in the Heineken Cup was because there was no relegation so that teams could rest up for big Heineken Cup games.

The main reason they could rest up is because they were effectively pre-qualified for HC having only to stay ahead of Connacht and they might well be playing against another team who resting players because they were 100% guaranteed a place such as Edinburgh or Glasgow. Relegation added a little to the advantage but it was not the greatest factor.

Anyway back to the topic which was about English Premiership Rugby if I remember.

by Exiledinborders Wed 18 Mar 2015, 10:48 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sounds like they want to re implement the promotion criteria the LW law suit overcame. That makes sense. LW have shown why the RFU were right to demand a certain level of resource before AP promotion.

I agree. They just need to be a bit more careful about it. I would like to see both a maximum and minimum playing budget - a salary cap and collar. Of course such a rule if it is to be court proof must mean that existing teams have to pass too. It could be that some existing teams might struggle. London Irish?

by No 7&1/2 Wed 18 Mar 2015, 11:08 am

We'll soon see what some of the teams priorities are. How much will be spent on the fans and how much to players, owners and hangers on.

by stub Wed 18 Mar 2015, 12:00 pm

This seems good news on the face of it and it will be good if it enables the teams to plan further ahead and to retain home grown players.

by yappysnap Wed 18 Mar 2015, 12:20 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:We'll soon see what some of the teams priorities are. How much will be spent on the fans and how much to players, owners and hangers on.

What would you expect teams to do for their fans No7?

I would have thought investing in their academies, buying the best players and coaches and creating the best infrastructure would be best for the fans too?

by No 7&1/2 Wed 18 Mar 2015, 12:24 pm

All of which is great but I've watched that exact same thing happen in football along with the extra wages etc. Prices for tickets and food and drink has shot up and the quality hasn't matched it. I see that as a warning. Make sure it's always affordable and think of the fans first.

by LordDowlais Wed 18 Mar 2015, 12:49 pm

Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now. Sad

by The Great Aukster Wed 18 Mar 2015, 1:15 pm

"McCafferty has also confirmed plans are well underway to expand the Premiership, in the process temporarily scrapping promotion and relegation."

You have to admire the brass neck of someone who can display such hypocrisy and still keep a straight face.

If London Welsh aren't up to the AP then who alongside Bristol and Worcester will make this new AP 14? Are there any other old boys in the network who have enough dosh to ... er facilitate their entry to such an exclusive club? If Bristol or Worcs don't make it this year will he move the goalposts yet again?

by Chunky Norwich Wed 18 Mar 2015, 1:46 pm

LordDowlais wrote:Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now.

This is another nail in the coffin of professional rugby in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Unless there is a British & Irish League soon or equivalent strategy, rugby will be semi professional in those countries by 2020.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 18 Mar 2015, 1:54 pm

Exiledinborders wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Sounds like they want to re implement the promotion criteria the LW law suit overcame. That makes sense. LW have shown why the RFU were right to demand a certain level of resource before AP promotion.
I agree. They just need to be a bit more careful about it. I would like to see both a maximum and minimum playing budget - a salary cap and collar. Of course such a rule if it is to be court proof must mean that existing teams have to pass too. It could be that some existing teams might struggle. London Irish?

I'd actually like to see the play offs moved earlier into the season and a bottom of the AP vs Championship winner game at the end of the regular season in order to earn promotion.

All clubs in Championship to sign a yearly agreement where they have a similar EQ proportional representation to the AP and accept promotion only when certain criteria are met in exchange for a slice of the new BT pie. Giving Championship clubs additional funding to improve.

by Sin é Wed 18 Mar 2015, 1:57 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now.

This is another nail in the coffin of professional rugby in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Unless there is a British & Irish League soon or equivalent strategy, rugby will be semi professional in those countries by 2020.

A B&I League is definately not on the cards, and never was.

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 18 Mar 2015, 2:03 pm

Heaven forbid a joint B&I league, we're doing fine as we are thanks.

More money in the game is always a good thing, hopefully this will filter down to the academies and infrastructure rather than just big money foreign players.

by Chunky Norwich Wed 18 Mar 2015, 2:06 pm

Sin é wrote:
Chunky Norwich wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now.

This is another nail in the coffin of professional rugby in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Unless there is a British & Irish League soon or equivalent strategy, rugby will be semi professional in those countries by 2020.

A B&I League is definately not on the cards, and never was.

Then die we will.

by EWT Spoons Wed 18 Mar 2015, 3:42 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now.

This is another nail in the coffin of professional rugby in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Unless there is a British & Irish League soon or equivalent strategy, rugby will be semi professional in those countries by 2020.

I fear I may regret this, but why?

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 18 Mar 2015, 5:33 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:
Chunky Norwich wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now.

This is another nail in the coffin of professional rugby in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Unless there is a British & Irish League soon or equivalent strategy, rugby will be semi professional in those countries by 2020.

I fear I may regret this, but why?

Perhaps because he feels the best strategy for the Welsh regions is to drown in a sea of their own tears because of rejection by their white knights across the bridge.

Rather than put any effort whatsoever into a "sh1t league" to try and stay alive and vital.

He would rather they bleed out on the altar in their lovely new wedding dress rather than settle for second best.

Therefore will convince himself that there is "no point" in the pro 12 and that death is inevitable.

And the other pro 12 nations will (he reckons) be sucked down along with the jilted lover that is the Welsh Regions.

You know the old saying "it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees"

Well he reckons kneeling is better.

On the thread title. Good on the PRL. A great bit of news. I wish them well, as they don't seem to want to destroy any other comps outside the Premiership this time.

We need as many good news stories in Rugby as possible.

by HammerofThunor Wed 18 Mar 2015, 6:18 pm

There was something about more games being shown as well, which is good for me.

by Chunky Norwich Wed 18 Mar 2015, 6:38 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:
Chunky Norwich wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now.

This is another nail in the coffin of professional rugby in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Unless there is a British & Irish League soon or equivalent strategy, rugby will be semi professional in those countries by 2020.

I fear I may regret this, but why?

The amount of money in French and English rugby means that is where the players will go. They will get richer and bigger. As a result everywhere else will get smaller and smaller, until rugby in Ire and scot and wales is bordering on semi professional rugby.

What may stop this thankfully, is that the 6N is a major cash cow for all unions. And if this is jeapordised then a huge chunk of additional money is jeapordised.

But hey, you can always just keep saying "Lets work on the pro12, it's got potential".

The English have got everything right. Players, money, league, tv. To the point that they've just increased their tv deal by 80% because the product is so good. Yet still people deny this and want to soldier on with an out of date unviable model. It will only dawn on them when it's too late.

by Kingshu Wed 18 Mar 2015, 7:59 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:
Chunky Norwich wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Great, this means there is more money to take more Welsh players to England now.

This is another nail in the coffin of professional rugby in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Unless there is a British & Irish League soon or equivalent strategy, rugby will be semi professional in those countries by 2020.

I fear I may regret this, but why?

The amount of money in French and English rugby means that is where the players will go. They will get richer and bigger. As a result everywhere else will get smaller and smaller, until rugby in Ire and scot and wales is bordering on semi professional rugby.

What may stop this thankfully, is that the 6N is a major cash cow for all unions. And if this is jeapordised then a huge chunk of additional money is jeapordised.

But hey, you can always just keep saying "Lets work on the pro12, it's got potential".

The English have got everything right. Players, money, league, tv. To the point that they've just increased their tv deal by 80% because the product is so good. Yet still people deny this and want to soldier on with an out of date unviable model. It will only dawn on them when it's too late.

I think he's right, it's time the Irish provinces jumped ship and join the expanded Prem, let the Welsh wallow and sink with their infighting and poor teams. Anglo-Irish League is definatly more appealing than an Anglo-Welsh one, what with Wale's half empty stadiums and Zero H-cups, they bring nothing. I'm pretty such than the biggest rivalry now between an English club and a non English Club isn't Scarlets/Bristol or the like, but Ulster/Leicester, so we even bring the better rivalries.

On the other hand I don't see any of that happening and think that our best option is to make the Pro 12 work.

by The Great Aukster Wed 18 Mar 2015, 9:56 pm

The reason that the AP get more money than the Pro12 is they are reaching five times the population with advertising. The PRL don't want to share their money with the uncouth country hicks, they don't even want to share it with English teams that don't have the required pedigree, to behave properly in polite company. Be careful about getting ideas above one's station.

by Shifty Thu 19 Mar 2015, 9:40 am

It is slightly hypocritical of PRL to complain about the Pro 12 not having relegation then try and do the same things themselves, however the problem is, how many Championship clubs actually meet the criteria for promotion anyway? Yorkshire Carnegie (Leeds), Bristol, and Worcester.

by Chunky Norwich Fri 20 Mar 2015, 10:46 am

The Great Aukster wrote:The reason that the AP get more money than the Pro12 is they are reaching five times the population with advertising.

That's the only reason is it?

Thank god we have the Italians on board, who have the same population as England.

The PRL don't want to share their money with the uncouth country hicks, they don't even want to share it with English teams that don't have the required pedigree, to behave properly in polite company. Be careful about getting ideas above one's station.

When rugby is about to die which means it will start affecting them, they will.

by The Great Aukster Fri 20 Mar 2015, 1:29 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:Thank god we have the Italians on board, who have the same population as England.

Yes, they have the same population as the UK and their rugby market remains untapped unlike the British one that is nearing saturation point.

by Chunky Norwich Fri 20 Mar 2015, 1:48 pm

The Great Aukster wrote:
Chunky Norwich wrote:Thank god we have the Italians on board, who have the same population as England.
Yes, they have the same population as the UK and their rugby market remains untapped unlike the British one that is nearing saturation point.

Why aren't the tv companies spending hundreds of millions of pounds on securing the rights then?

by 2ndtimeround Fri 20 Mar 2015, 2:54 pm

The threat to other Nations from 2 dominant financial powerhouses in England and France can be solved easily by the IRB by simply doing away with the National residency criteria for established nations, the French are already suffering from excessive overseas players dominating their league, no matter how much the club owners may want to buy success I don't believe English rugby will let the national side suffer in the same way, common sense will have to prevail for the sake of the National game. National qualified quotas will actually count for something only if they cannot be circumvented through residency rules.

by The Great Aukster Fri 20 Mar 2015, 6:08 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:
The Great Aukster wrote:
Chunky Norwich wrote:Thank god we have the Italians on board, who have the same population as England.
Yes, they have the same population as the UK and their rugby market remains untapped unlike the British one that is nearing saturation point.

Why aren't the tv companies spending hundreds of millions of pounds on securing the rights then?

Rome wasn't built in a day.

by Exiledinborders Fri 20 Mar 2015, 10:18 pm

Shifty wrote:It is slightly hypocritical of PRL to complain about the Pro 12 not having relegation then try and do the same things themselves, however the problem is, how many Championship clubs actually meet the criteria for promotion anyway? Yorkshire Carnegie (Leeds), Bristol, and Worcester.,

Three teams. Funnily enough that is the number they want to promote.

Who else actually wants to be in the AP? Posiibly London Welsh butbthey have comprehensively shown they should not be.

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