For sale: Pieces of a national treasure
For centuries, New Zealand has been battling to get removed national treasures back. So no wonder Kiwi nerves are frayed about the future of the All Blacks, a national treasure beloved by most.
Yesterday, New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) 26 provincial unions voted unanimously in favour of a deal with private equity group Silver Lake, owned by super rich Americans.
The deal needs sign-off by the players’ association, who oppose the deal in its current state, and resolution seems some way off.
For all that, sports fans and others remain concerned at the potential dilution of All Black, with shades of red, white, blue and greenback. While the details of the Silver Lake deal are yet to be made fully transparent, the concern remains that 12.5 per cent of rugby’s commercial rights are set to be sold into overseas hands.
In its wisdom, the NZR has installed protections. Silver Lake doesn’t even have a seat on the board of NZR, only on a separate board which governs the new entity, and even then NZR holds the majority.
Their problem is that the All Blacks are an iconic part of the national fabric, and somehow keeping commerce and emotion apart. Yes, commercial deals can be made to seem cool, clinical and without emotion.
But when it comes to rugby, to Kiwis, to the All Blacks, there are so many strands of spiritual meaning that it is impossible to have the rugby-loving public think the same way.
Yet, there was more outrage when we tried to change our flag (which many dislike). There is outrage when the merits of an anthem (which many dislike) are so much as raised. Overseas investors have to leap all sorts of overseas investment criteria to buy land, or forests, or houses. Rugby though? Not so much. And when the money men loom on the rugby radar, fans start to fear what the eventual target might be. Like, could it be the All Blacks.
Here’s the rules: in general, overseas people who are not residents cannot buy homes to live in, but other investment opportunities are available (such as commercial rights to the national game).
So on the sliding scale of goodies New Zealand can sell off, it seems the Men in Black are less protected than national parks, or even the house you now live in.
Rugby is part of the very fabric of this country. Don’t believe me? Then Google ‘‘what is New Zealand best known for worldwide?’’
What comes up first is this . . . A small island nation home to around 4.5 million people located in the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is famous for its national rugby team, its indigenous Ma¯ ori culture and its picturesque landscape.
New Zealanders wouldn’t abide that with land, Ma¯ ori culture or native birds, but our sporting birthright is both up for grabs and being grabbed.
It could wind up all for the best, of course. It could be the genius move of all genius moves.
But what if it isn’t genius? How does New Zealand start to haul back a special part of its being? Slowly and painfully, I’d venture.