PRO12 – THE SITUATION
With the Guinness Pro12 in dire need of more income and a better product, the Board of the Pro12 League and representing unions have met to explore all possible scenario’s. The parties have been the looking into many options, which include possibly ‘bringing in the exiles’ of London Scottish and London Welsh. Their admission may have been dismissed rather quickly by all accounts.
There has been the band of people looking into getting rid of the Italian sides, but that’s not going to happen any time soon – with them being equal partners in the league and part of the European Accord set up to control the league’s diplomacy–with that influence, Zebre and Treviso are not likely to release their control.
Finally, and more recently, the Pro12 has looked into expanding overseas. That maybe into Spain or the United Statesto be precise. This may be, or may not be, a very realistic goal and will require a lot of research by the powers that be. On consultation with all partners, decisions must be made on whether it generates the income and product that the league requires. The US team is the most likely, and the most talked about.
So let us take a look at how much of a reality this is, and what may need to be done in order for these sides to be a partner in the Pro12.
