France is a different but they've got their massive TV deal and even with the they've mega rich owners putting in cash for little or no return on the money invested. I don't see why someone would invest in a team in Wales to not make money and also not control the rugby
Ask yourself *why* the French have a massive TV deal. It's because the product is the best around. And it is getting stronger and better still, because it is club focussed. As for investing in Welsh rugby that's stuck in the URC, you're right. Completely pointless.
Even in the prem why would anyone invest? With no control?
The clubs are shareholders in the competition
So that would be the WRU not whoever took a minority stake in a club
The WRU are shareholders in the URC, so clubs can be cut … which is the WRU’s plan. Investment needs security. But the WRU just wants control.
Investment needs security and control. They get none under this plan.
Following ST was the best decision I ever made. I feel like a glory hunter but mysteriously my interest in rugby no longer fades between internationals, who would have thunk it.
Stade Toulousain do not have private equity backing them, they’re owned by an association, Friends of ST. I believe some corporations have minority stakes (eg Airbus and someone else, I forgot who), but they’re not pumping money into the club.
Here you go “The club is 48% owned by the Stade Toulousain Rugby Association, 25% by the association Les Amis du Stade Toulousain, which owns the Stade Ernest-Wallon, 12% by the international accountancy company Fiducial (the largest private shareholder) and the remainder by small shareholders.”
Thanks stand corrected on that one