Impey: No private equity money on the table
New Zealand Rugby continues to look at new ways of funding the game but there ‘‘is no money on the table’’ from private equity, says chairman Brent Impey.
‘‘We’re not chasing anything,’’ Impey told Sky’s Breakdown show on Tuesday.
‘‘We haven’t got any agreements with anybody, there’s not money on the table.
‘‘Our major priority right now is ensuring the survival of rugby post-Covid.’’
Private equity company CVC has already taken a stake in the English domestic competition and was on the verge of buying into the Six Nations before the coronavirus crisis arrived.
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson confirmed in February that the door was open to private equity, prompting speculation that deals could be struck in
New Zealand, but it appears they are some way off.
‘‘The question arises in this area as to capital,’’ Impey said. ‘‘In order to run sport you need money into your game.
‘‘So, we are open to discussing all of this but it is miles away from anything that is on the table.
‘‘So, it’s pure speculation at this point and it’s certainly not a priority.’’
Impey also reaffirmed NZ Rugby’s commitment to Sanzaar, although he left the door open to competition structure change due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus.
‘‘The four Sanzaar countries are very united, as seen by the vote for Gus Pichot [at the World Rugby election].
‘‘We see a lot of strength in the Sanzaar alliance and at this stage we obviously want to continue with our professional club rugby competition, and also the Rugby Championship.
‘‘If you look at the Rugby Championship, all but one World Cup winner since 1987 has come from the Sanzaar countries, so let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
‘‘Having said that, there are lots of challenges around this.
‘‘In the post-Covid world we don’t know what the cost of air travel is going to be like, whether you can fly from Auckland to Buenos Aires, and if you can, is it practical? ‘‘How long are our borders going to be closed.
‘‘Yes, there might be a trans-Tasman bubble but is that going to extend to South Africa and Argentina over the next 12-24 months?
‘‘A lot of that has to be worked through. There is a Sanzaar meeting on May 19 in which we are going to be exploring this.
‘‘None of these options are easy, but as far as the alliance is concerned between the four countries, that’s tight.’’
Impey also made it clear that NZ Rugby expected re-elected World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont to deliver change on a range of issues, including governance, the growth of the women’s game, a global rugby calendar and a rebooted ‘Nations Championship’ concept.