Online rights deal is bad idea
It was interesting to read Saracens CEO Mitesh Velani’s views on rugby being a draw for bidders for the Premiership rights due to it still being seen as a “clean sport”. But who did he mention as possible successors to BT? Google, Amazon and Facebook.
There’s barely a day goes by when at least one of them is not in the news for data breaches and questionable tax arrangements. Of course it’s desirable for our game to expand and be the best it can be, but at what cost?
Plus, it would mean yet another subscription for those of us who choose not to do business with those companies. I wonder how long our clean sport will remain sporting. I can see a time fast approaching when I’ll turn my back on the Premiership, stick to my grass-roots clubs and enjoy rugby with a clear conscience.
I’m a Saracens supporter and their supporter services have treated me very well as a disabled supporter. In fact, I was surprised when I first went there. I never expected a Premiership club whose players seem to make up half the England squad to feel so local.
That’s why future Premiership deals concern me. I don’t want our sport to lose what it has. We can but hope… RW says: We’re watching with interest to see if streaming companies become bigger players in the sports market.