More teams on the cards for Super Rugby?
The expansion of Super Rugby from a 14-team to a 15-team tournament may be short-lived. It is almost certain to expand to a 16- or 18-team competition in the next five years.
Andy Marinos, the acting Managing Director of the South African Rugby Union, said SANZAR “sincerely hope” to achieve another expansion within the next five-year cycle.
And the addition of Argentina, which will see the Tri-Nations become a Four Nations tournament, was again confirmed for 2012.
Marinos was speaking at a media function in Cape Town where SANZAR confirmed a new broadcast rights agreements for competitions across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa over the five-year period — from 2011 to 2015.
The new agreement is valued at $437-million, which is a 35 percent increase on the comparable components of the current five-year agreement — which were valued at $323-million.
Marinos described it as a “significant day” to be able to confirm the extension of the broadcast deal, following a “long and protracted” negotiation process.
Agreements for additional territories such as Europe, North America and Asia are still under negotiation and will add to this total.
Marinos revealed that South Africa’s income increased by 34 percent, with New Zealand getting 29 percent more and Australia 35 percent — even though the split of the $437-million pot was one third each.
“This puts southern hemisphere rugby in a very strong and formidable position,” Marinos said, adding that: “It is going to put us on a very firm and sound financial footing going forward.”
Asked about the possibilities of expansion after 2011, when it becomes a Super 15, he said they are look seriously at it.
He pointed out that next year, a World Cup year, will produce an abbreviated 21-week Super Rugby tournament to accommodate the global showpiece.
“We won’t get a real feel, with the World Cup next year,” Marinos said, adding: “In 2012 it will be our first pure season.
SANZAR: Expand, enhance and develop
“From a SANZAR perspective one of our imperatives is to continue to ‘expand, enhance and develop’ our competitions to make it the best in the world.
“So we are not completely closed that during the next five-year cycle we could have an expansion — either to 16 or to 18 teams.”
Courtesy of iafrica.com
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