Survive through a tough 2021?
What does 2021 hold in store? It’s a question CEO Mark Robinson, Impey and his board will no doubt be asking on a regular basis.
So much is still beyond their control. The dates for Super Rugby Aotearoa, to be followed by a proposed competition against the five Australian sides, have yet to be confirmed. As for a test programme, we have heard zilch.
The tests are a major money spinner for NZ Rugby; it’s what broadcasters and audiences crave but the task of shipping an All Blacks squad across borders will remain a complex affair.
Given the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa next year may not go ahead, it’s uncertain whether the All Blacks will be able to have a crack at the world champions in the Republic in 2021.
NZ Rugby could ask the Players’ Association to ask players to accept a reduced wage packet, but it won’t want to alienate them and push them overseas.
Don’t forget the provincial unions, either. Even before the pandemic, many from the Mitre 10 Cup and Heartland competitions were struggling.
To retain their identities, and remain relevant, the Mitre 10 Cup provinces, who contract players directly, appear certain to ask the Players’ Association to amend the collective bargaining agreement so that players are paid less.
Because without this, provincial unions could go to the wall and talent may head overseas.
Last year was a record year of investment into rugby in this country, with $195m, a 2 per cent growth over 2018, poured back into the game. International and domestic competitions, players and teams accounted for just over threequarters of expenditure.
When Sky NZ renewed its broadcast deal with NZ Rugby – reported to be worth around $400m over five years – it was awarded 5 per cent of the company’s shares as part of the new relationship.
The balance sheet notes the investment was recognised on November 1 at an acquisition fair value of $19.4m. On that same date Sky disclosed it had issued NZ Rugby 21,801,325 shares at 89 cents.
This week those shares were valued at around 15 cents, reducing NZ Rugby’s investment, which must be held for a minimum of two years before they can be sold, to $3,270,198.
It’s a black eye NZ Rugby could do without, given everything else that has happened since it confirmed that deal. But it’s in for the long haul on the score, as it is in terms of trying to protect and nurture the sport in his country.
Sacrifices will be needed to future-proof the game here.
The question is where, and for how long.
‘‘We’re looking at a multimillion-dollar loss this year, but we’ve got ourselves into a position where we’re able to come forward into next year.’’