ALL BLACKS IN THE BLACK

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY HAS ACQUIRED A FAIRLY MAJOR WAR CHEST IN ITS QUEST TO KEEP PLAYERS HERE, POSTING A RECORD PROFIT OF $33 MILLION IN 2017.

The national body banked that cash a er enjoying record revenue of $257 million – around $40 million of which came from hosting the British & Irish Lions.

That income was also boosted by a 14 per cent increase in sponsorship revenue and a slight li in the money earned from broadcasters.

“The New Zealand Lions series generated massive interest, both here in New Zealand and globally, and that’s reflected in the numbers, but it needs to be put in the context of being a one-in-12-year-event,” NZR chief executive Tew said.

“If you look at 2017, we had an unusual number of top-quality international rugby matches played on New Zealand soil and, as a result, NZR benefited from a significant spike in income, mainly from increased gate takings and broadcasting revenue.”

NZR’s $257 million in earnings contrasts with $162m in the 2016 financial year, while its $224m in expenditure is significantly higher than 2016’s $169m.