CVC acquire 14.5% stake in Guinness Six Nations

Guinness Six Nations

CVC have enquired a 14.5% stake in the Guinness Six Nations, the French Rugby Union (FFR) AGM has revealed. Robert Rees brings the latest from the Six Nations camp.

Deal worth €75m for FFR

The 14.5% share in the Six Nations by the investment group CVC, who already have deals in the Gallagher Premiership and Guinness Pro14, will see the FFR bag €75m. It is not yet confirmed whether the other unions will bag the same money, but with all six nations sitting as equal partners it’s expected they’ll all bag the £67m – a much needed cash injection given the financial crisis left behind by the pandemic.

Bernard Laporte, who is the World Rugby vice-chairman, confirmed the deal at the recent FFR AGM.

What does it mean for the league?

Well, it could well leave unions with the extra cash they desire to say no to putting the product behind paywall TV. Currently, the competition is free to air, but there has been heavy speculation in recent months of whether that could change.

The extra cash flow into union pockets may well sway them to vote against going for the extra cash, although it isn’t a given following the large holes in pockets left by COVID.

Where does the money go?

The money goes into each union’s pockets and they will decide where to distribute those funds within their structures.

The WRU has noted this week its want for a semi-pro, and possibly professional women’s team by 2023 and this could well aid that process, among other areas.

The SRU and RFU have openly discussed the loss of income having no spectators leaves them with, and so this will definitely benefit those come the autumn period, when games are due to be played.

 

“Main photo credit”

Guinness Six Nations
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 9: FFR Vice-President Serge Simon, President of French Rugby Federation (FFR) Bernard Laporte attend the 2020 Guinness Six Nations (tournoi des 6 Nations) match between France and Italy at Stade de France on February 9, 2020 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)