Why are you posting viewership? The KPI here is broadcast revenue where the NRL absolutely has a huuuge lead.
But once again, tv revenue is only 20% of Top 14’s revenue. I have not checked for a while but I’d guess it’s closer to 50% on average for NRL clubs. I know the grant was close to 30% of the Broncos revenue a few years ago and they’d be the ones with the most diverse revenue streams in the comp.
On sponsorship, you are looking at a country of 67m in France. Whilst rugby is absolutely second to football, it still draws a lot of interest. That means every major corporation nationally has a form of rugby sponsorship.
Locally the sponsorships are large, often owing to the industrial policy of France. Take a club like Clermont who operate in a population area a bit smaller than Townsville. They were literally set up by the Michelin tyre group and they contribute huge sums to the club.
Looking at Stade Toulouse’s last accounts they generated €46m in turnover which is $74m AUD. Looking at the Broncos last accounts pre COVID they generated $52m AUD- I’d expect with the NRL grant increasing and other increases that you might see $60m AUD next time out. The problem is that it is a steep fall off after that for most NRL clubs- the average turnover for Top 14 sides is €30m, it isn’t near that for the NRL as a whole.
Beyond that I’ve pointed out before that you dismiss the international money at your peril. 30 odd French internationals will be having their salaries topped up by March fees of €25k per test (over 10 a year) plus bonuses, none of which is borne by those clubs. Similarly there are internationals from other countries (who don’t have restrictions on playing in France) who go back to play internationally and get a huge sum to do so. Whilst there is State of Origins and other international fees paid to NRL players, it is a fraction of the impact of what it is in the Top 14.
This is why the talk of NRL clubs making life more difficult for Rugby Australia is fanciful. They have been going through this for nearly 20 years now.
I’d like to see the Top 14 brought down to size and thankfully they have been promoting more French players and are trying to curtail the crazy spending but it is what it is sadly.
But once again, tv revenue is only 20% of Top 14’s revenue. I have not checked for a while but I’d guess it’s closer to 50% on average for NRL clubs. I know the grant was close to 30% of the Broncos revenue a few years ago and they’d be the ones with the most diverse revenue streams in the comp.
On sponsorship, you are looking at a country of 67m in France. Whilst rugby is absolutely second to football, it still draws a lot of interest. That means every major corporation nationally has a form of rugby sponsorship.
Locally the sponsorships are large, often owing to the industrial policy of France. Take a club like Clermont who operate in a population area a bit smaller than Townsville. They were literally set up by the Michelin tyre group and they contribute huge sums to the club.
Looking at Stade Toulouse’s last accounts they generated €46m in turnover which is $74m AUD. Looking at the Broncos last accounts pre COVID they generated $52m AUD- I’d expect with the NRL grant increasing and other increases that you might see $60m AUD next time out. The problem is that it is a steep fall off after that for most NRL clubs- the average turnover for Top 14 sides is €30m, it isn’t near that for the NRL as a whole.
Beyond that I’ve pointed out before that you dismiss the international money at your peril. 30 odd French internationals will be having their salaries topped up by March fees of €25k per test (over 10 a year) plus bonuses, none of which is borne by those clubs. Similarly there are internationals from other countries (who don’t have restrictions on playing in France) who go back to play internationally and get a huge sum to do so. Whilst there is State of Origins and other international fees paid to NRL players, it is a fraction of the impact of what it is in the Top 14.
This is why the talk of NRL clubs making life more difficult for Rugby Australia is fanciful. They have been going through this for nearly 20 years now.
I’d like to see the Top 14 brought down to size and thankfully they have been promoting more French players and are trying to curtail the crazy spending but it is what it is sadly.
