PRIVATE EQUITY PLOUGHS £365m INTO SIX NATIONS
PRIVATE equity giant CVC has struck a deal to take a stake in the Six Nations.
The 14pc stake in the world’s best known rugby tournament is worth £365m and has been two years in the making. In 2018 CVC bought a stake in Premiership Rugby, England top tier, and Pro14, which features sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
The money will be split on a sliding scale between the different unions, with the England Rugby Football Union receiving £95m.
‘This is a hugely positive development,’ said Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel. ‘CVC recognises the exciting potential in the Six Nations Championships and they are aligned with our vision for the future.’
The deal incorporates the Women’s and Under20s tournaments. Women’s rugby has grown in popularity in recent years, with high profile stars like Maggie Alphonsi (pictured) regularly appearing as TV pundits for the Six Nations.
The Six Nations say the plan with CVC is to ‘invest to grow and develop the game’, with an aim to ‘attract a new more diverse and global fan base’.
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