English Premier League Rugby Clubs, together with their French counterparts chose the weekend to announce that their proposed rebel European tournament will be called the Rugby Champions Cup. They also suggested that a number of clubs competing in the Rabodirect Pro12 have expressed an interest in participating but that have asked for those discussions to remain confidential.
The announcement on the new name came as European Rugby Cup Limited began the promotional roadshow launching this year’s renewal of the Heineken Cup which threatens to be the last, at least under its existing format.
The parties involved are due to meet on October 23rd to determine what will be possible without tearing European Rugby at the elite level asunder.
Recent weeks have seen increasingly aggressive stances in public from both sides. The debate is being driven by the top clubs in England and France wishing to have greater financial reward and a more balanced qualification process for the equivalent competition to soccer’s UEFA Champions’ League.
There are now only limited places remaining for Sport for Business 20/20, our showcase event at Ulster Bank HQ where sport and business leaders will see the best new programmes within sport for 2014. Click for more details.
Both the proposed tournaments have agreements already in place with BT Sport and with Sky Sports respectively to cover the games.
Neither has a confirmed sponsor however with Heineken in the final year of its long standing agreement to sponsor the existing event and no names having been put forward as backers of the breakaway event.
Both sides can only win through compromise and the eventual emergence of a single tournament that will cater for clubs from England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Wales and Italy.
Anything less would be a huge step backwards for professional rugby and a retreat to what would be seen as local games without the allure of facing the genuine best teams in Europe.
Sponsors want to be associated with winning events and until it becomes clear which of the various alternatives will come through on top, discussions on that front are likely to remain at a very low level of engagement.
Click below for details of the Sport for Business Events Programme
Sports Sponsorship Showcase
Sports Analytics Round Table
Sports Tourism Seminar
Irish Sponsorship Awards
Sports Philanthropy Round Table
Youth Sports Conference
