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When I look at SANZAR I wonder aloud what its goals are? Are the goals of SANZAR aligned to the goals of the ARU?
All codes or sports need growth and new members, if for nothing else to replace people that leave. Does SANZAR grow rugby and bring in new people to rugby’s tent?
SANZAR brings money, TV deals and media and without the revenue from SANZAR it is doubtful many of the top Australian union players would be playing rugby. They would be playing league as was the case in the 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s, or going to European leagues.
Australian rugby’s future hope is centred on the National Rugby Championship, which has a limited calendar and starts at the peak of the NRL and AFL seasons. Roar writer Brett McKay believes the NRC to be a work in progress that given time will morph into something bigger and grander. And more importantly into a marketable product that will be able to get a high dollar value media deal.
It goes without saying that without revenue any sport will struggle for the country’s best talent. My limited understanding of SANZAR is that the increase in value of the new media deal has in part eventuated due to the sale of broadcast rights into Europe. How much of the increase is due to an increase in the Australian content is unknown, but if media reports are correct then the increase in Australian content revenue is small.
If this is correct, that the Australian content is minimal, then has the SANZAR model failed the ARU?
Rugby is not my first sport. As an outside observer I don’t see a structure within Australian rugby allowing for separation of power between the ARU and SANZAR. What I see is ARU board-appointed representatives on the board of SANZAR, reporting to the ARU board. The ARU board then fund teams playing in the SANZAR Super Rugby competition.
It’s a careful balancing act between revenue, player retention, crowds and ratings. There is no obvious replacement for the Super teams. Even if the often talked about Australian-New Zealand competition got underway, finding broadcasters willing to both broadcast and pay large sums is a long way off.
I guess this is where the NRC comes back. Can the NRC morph over time into the revenue earner and competition many seem to want?
Many mistakes have been made in rugby administration over many years, nay decades, and Bill Pulver is current man in the hot seat, with much of the past not his fault. However, competition is increasing, especially in football and basketball, where long-term plans have been developed to grow and expand.
Can SANZAR offer the ARU meaningful responses? In Perth, North Queensland and Adelaide, basketball is laying very strong foundations away from the glare of Sydney and Melbourne. Where is rugby in these markets, or is rugby going to let basketball simply replace rugby in these markets.
My feeling as someone not close to the day-to-day working is that while SANZAR is not perfect it does pay the bills. The question for me is how have the ARU spent the SANZAR revenue, as to date much of the revenue has gone on the Super Rugby teams.
Can, similar to football and basketball, more of the revenue be spent in areas to develop the game? For example we could take 35 per cent of the SANZAR revenue and invest this in the NRC. Just a thought.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.