Latest news with #NigelWood
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wood named new chair of RL Commercial
Nigel Wood has been named as the new chair of Rugby League Commercial, succeeding Frank Slevin, who is standing down after three years in the is also currently interim chair of the Rugby Football League and he will deliver a strategic review to clubs next the former Bradford Bulls chair will take on this new position, after his appointment was endorsed by the RFL and Super League Europe."I am pleased to assist the sport at this pivotal moment as it seeks the plan for growth that we are all determined to achieve," he said in a statement, external. Wood is very experienced in the game's administration, having first joined the RFL as finance director in held a number of roles, including chief executive, before leaving in 2018 to become chief executive of Rugby League International Federation, the sport's global as the new chair of RL Commercial, he wants to bring together the different facets of the game. "We have already made significant progress, both through the strategic review and in the reshaped Board of the Rugby Football League, and stakeholders have concluded there are obvious advantages in simplifying central administration of the sport," he said."RL Commercial has delivered some impressive successes for the sport in recent months, with attendances and viewing figures heading in the right direction, and the exciting prospect of an Ashes series later this year – with two of the three Tests already sold out. "I am convinced that rugby league is on an upward trajectory."
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Super League could expand to 14 teams in 2026 but crucial vote awaits
Super League could expand to 14 teams as early as next year if a strategic review led by the Rugby Football League's interim chair, Nigel Wood, can convince the existing 12 teams that expansion is financially viable for 2026. Wood, the governing body's former chief executive who was brought back earlier this year after clubs decided he should lead a review that would scrutinise all aspects of the professional game in the United Kingdom. That included whether there is room for French clubs Catalans Dragons and Toulouse, as well as the sport's long-term partnership with IMG. Their recommendations in 2022 suggested that Super League should only expand when there were enough clubs reaching the highest bracket in their gradings criteria. But Wood's review, which will be delivered to clubs next month at a meeting in Wakefield, will recommend a move to 14 as early as next year. Crucially, the Guardian has been told that more and more support has been garnered for that idea in recent weeks, with one high-ranking figure suggesting it was 'as good as a done deal'. However, there remains scepticism from some elite clubs about the financial impact expanding Super League would have for the existing 12 teams, which could be the big stumbling block. The central distribution each club receives has shrunk drastically with the value of the competition's TV deal shrinking from £40mper year a decade ago to around £21m in 2025. Some clubs who are open to 14 teams are only keen to commit to the idea once they have seen commitments on whether or not their central distribution would reduce further owing to more teams being in the competition. However, the Guardian has been told that one idea that has been floated among the corridors of ambitious Championship clubs would be for two clubs to join the elite and receive minimal – or even no – central distribution in 2026, with the hope that the sport can then secure an increased TV deal for 2027 when the current Sky contract ends. That would lead to an almighty scramble to become one of the two teams added to Super League with four clubs – Toulouse, Bradford, York and London – all believing they could step up for next year. It is understood that at least two of those teams would be willing to do so without distribution for one year, too. But expansion to 14 would not be received well by the National Rugby League (NRL), who remain interested in taking control of the competition in an attempt to revive its fortunes. Their preference would be to actually reduce Super League to 10 teams, not increase it. One official in Australia believes that if clubs go with Wood's proposals given his unpopularity in the corridors of the NRL, it would effectively spell the end of any meaningful interest in a deal between the two competitions. The RFL have been approached for comment.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Magic Weekend brings a divided sport together – for 48 hours at least
There are some weekends when Super League's profile feels elevated and this is one of them. The 18th edition of Magic Weekend, with all 12 teams playing in the same venue over two days, returns to St James' Park with the event being played out to a backdrop of excitement and uncertainty. On the one hand, this has been an encouraging start to 2025. Attendances are up, viewing figures are trending the right way and there is the prospect of the best-attended Ashes series in a generation this autumn, with two of the three venues already sold out. Advertisement Related: Brisbane is NRL Magic Round's beating heart but risks becoming a victim of its own success | Jack Snape But this would not be rugby league without an asterisk of drama. It has always been fond of trying to let its governance undermine the exceptional on-field product and a strategic review being led by the former RFL chair Nigel Wood is causing division in the game. The NRL – which is running its own Magic Round this weekend – is keen to buy a stake in Super League, but only if it is given full control of the competition. Leading clubs such as Wigan and Warrington are in favour, but some are less keen and are, perhaps unfathomably, keen to be led by Wood's review. This despite him being paid more than £300,000 to leave the governing body less than a decade ago. Meanwhile, IMG – which is almost three years into a 12-year strategic partnership with the sport – has also come under fire, with some clubs questioning if it brings value for money. The sport pays an annual fee of about £400,000 to the company, but it seems it worked for free for the first two years. Advertisement It was brought in to make wholesale changes and revolutionise the game's prospects. Automatic promotion and relegation has been replaced with a gradings system, but further recommendations made by IMG have not been carried out. The reason? Money, or rather a distinct lack of it. 'There's elements of those recommendations that haven't been able to be implemented because the game is just not in a position at the moment to fund that,' says Matt Dwyer of IMG. Super League is essentially propped up by wealthy owners, it is not awash with cash. The prospect of NRL investment could be revolutionary, not least financially. But IMG is trying to change that. It has introduced new six-figure revenue streams by securing fresh betting rights and generated close to £1m in cost savings through technological improvements, including a new ticketing software system. Attendances are up more than 10% on this time last year, social media engagements are up 72% and digital impressions 93%. All of this sounds boring and unimportant to the fan on the street, but to the NRL, and indeed to potential broadcasters and sponsors, it is crucial. 'Those foundations ultimately translate into your commercial improvement and your financial position because if you're Sky, you want more subscribers watching,' Dwyer says. 'If you're a sponsor, you just want more people looking at your product. Advertisement 'One of the first goals we had was for Super League to be a competition that washes its own face so we're not reliant on owners. But that takes time. It's why it's a 12-year deal. We're not even a quarter of the way there.' Super League is nervously awaiting the outcome of its next broadcast deal in 2027 – whether that be with Sky Sports or someone else. Unlike other sports, rugby league's TV rights have declined dramatically over the past decade, leading to a feeling of financial trepidation. That is where IMG will earn its money. The prospect of NRL involvement could aid that, with Dwyer open to the two competitions joining forces. 'We work with the NRL already, they're a client of ours in Australia,' he says. 'I was shocked there wasn't more interaction between the NRL and Super League. Anything that leads to greater collaboration between the two leagues is a positive. A rising tide lifts all boats. I'm incredibly supportive of us all working together to grow the game.' Wood's review will question if the French clubs Catalans and Toulouse should be removed from the English game. In contrast, the NRL may include both in their plans should they get their way, cutting some traditional English clubs out. Hence the rebellion in some quarters. Advertisement Where does IMG sit on that? 'The French clubs have a huge role to play,' Dwyer says. 'But we can't expect to have one team develop a whole market in isolation. We need to be able to support the growth of the French leagues, Catalans and everyone around it. They need central support.' With clubs outside Super League wanting the top flight to go to 14 teams, the NRL wanting to reduce to 10 and IMG of the belief clubs cannot afford to have its financial distributions reduced further, it is not unreasonable to ponder whether there is a civil war of sorts looming. Dwyer and IMG insist their path remains unchanged and point to the work done as proof of how they can deliver. This weekend, the Super League players will once again showcase their abilities to the public. The goal for everyone has to be to ensure that in the years ahead there is no repeat of this boardroom fiasco and that rugby league, perhaps under the NRL's guise, can finally crack a mainstream audience.
The Guardian
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Magic Weekend brings a divided sport together – for 48 hours at least
There are some weekends when Super League's profile feels elevated and this is one of them. The 18th edition of Magic Weekend, with all 12 teams playing in the same venue over two days, returns to St James' Park with the event being played out to a backdrop of excitement and uncertainty. On the one hand, this has been an encouraging start to 2025. Attendances are up, viewing figures are trending the right way and there is the prospect of the best-attended Ashes series in a generation this autumn, with two of the three venues already sold out. But this would not be rugby league without an asterisk of drama. It has always been fond of trying to let its governance undermine the exceptional on-field product and a strategic review being led by the former RFL chair Nigel Wood is causing division in the game. The NRL – which is running its own Magic Round this weekend – is keen to buy a stake in Super League, but only if it is given full control of the competition. Leading clubs such as Wigan and Warrington are in favour, but some are less keen and are, perhaps unfathomably, keen to be led by Wood's review. This despite him being paid more than £300,000 to leave the governing body less than a decade ago. Meanwhile, IMG – which is almost three years into a 12-year strategic partnership with the sport – has also come under fire, with some clubs questioning if it brings value for money. The sport pays an annual fee of about £400,000 to the company, but it seems it worked for free for the first two years. It was brought in to make wholesale changes and revolutionise the game's prospects. Automatic promotion and relegation has been replaced with a gradings system, but further recommendations made by IMG have not been carried out. The reason? Money, or rather a distinct lack of it. 'There's elements of those recommendations that haven't been able to be implemented because the game is just not in a position at the moment to fund that,' says Matt Dwyer of IMG. Super League is essentially propped up by wealthy owners, it is not awash with cash. The prospect of NRL investment could be revolutionary, not least financially. But IMG is trying to change that. It has introduced new six-figure revenue streams by securing fresh betting rights and generated close to £1m in cost savings through technological improvements, including a new ticketing software system. Attendances are up more than 10% on this time last year, social media engagements are up 72% and digital impressions 93%. All of this sounds boring and unimportant to the fan on the street, but to the NRL, and indeed to potential broadcasters and sponsors, it is crucial. 'Those foundations ultimately translate into your commercial improvement and your financial position because if you're Sky, you want more subscribers watching,' Dwyer says. 'If you're a sponsor, you just want more people looking at your product. 'One of the first goals we had was for Super League to be a competition that washes its own face so we're not reliant on owners. But that takes time. It's why it's a 12-year deal. We're not even a quarter of the way there.' Super League is nervously awaiting the outcome of its next broadcast deal in 2027 – whether that be with Sky Sports or someone else. Unlike other sports, rugby league's TV rights have declined dramatically over the past decade, leading to a feeling of financial trepidation. That is where IMG will earn its money. The prospect of NRL involvement could aid that, with Dwyer open to the two competitions joining forces. 'We work with the NRL already, they're a client of ours in Australia,' he says. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion 'I was shocked there wasn't more interaction between the NRL and Super League. Anything that leads to greater collaboration between the two leagues is a positive. A rising tide lifts all boats. I'm incredibly supportive of us all working together to grow the game.' Wood's review will question if the French clubs Catalans and Toulouse should be removed from the English game. In contrast, the NRL may include both in their plans should they get their way, cutting some traditional English clubs out. Hence the rebellion in some quarters. Where does IMG sit on that? 'The French clubs have a huge role to play,' Dwyer says. 'But we can't expect to have one team develop a whole market in isolation. We need to be able to support the growth of the French leagues, Catalans and everyone around it. They need central support.' With clubs outside Super League wanting the top flight to go to 14 teams, the NRL wanting to reduce to 10 and IMG of the belief clubs cannot afford to have its financial distributions reduced further, it is not unreasonable to ponder whether there is a civil war of sorts looming. Dwyer and IMG insist their path remains unchanged and point to the work done as proof of how they can deliver. This weekend, the Super League players will once again showcase their abilities to the public. The goal for everyone has to be to ensure that in the years ahead there is no repeat of this boardroom fiasco and that rugby league, perhaps under the NRL's guise, can finally crack a mainstream audience.
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Sexism and misogyny complaints add to turmoil at Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League has received multiple anonymous whistleblowing complaints containing historical allegations of sexism and misogyny in the workplace. The complaints come amid turmoil in the English game's governing body for weeks, with the chair, Simon Johnson, and three female directors resigning earlier this month and the Bradford Bulls chairman, Nigel Wood, appointed to head a 'club-led strategic review' of the sport after a bitter power struggle. The Guardian has learned that: Several formal complaints have been made in the past fortnight alleging a historical sexist culture and the use of misogynistic language overheard by female staff at the RFL. Sport England, which is providing £11.9m of government funding to the RFL over five years until 2027, has been made aware of the complaints, with senior officials expressing concerns. Australia's National Rugby League is unhappy about the RFL's board changes, leading to fears they could jeopardise its plans to buy a stake in Super League. The International Rugby League board is considering removing England's seat from the 10-strong board that runs the international game. The complaints are understood to have been made anonymously a fortnight ago via the RFL's whistleblowing email address. The RFL chief executive, Tony Sutton, is aware of the complaints and is taking them seriously. Sutton has also told RFL staff that anyone else with concerns should feel safe to raise them with him in person, or via the whistleblowing hotline. The RFL has yet to open a formal investigation, but a source at the governing body told the Guardian it is likely to do so in line with whistleblowing policy. An RFL spokesperson told the Guardian: 'Details of our internal complaints procedures are confidential.' The complaints follow the circulation of a letter signed by 'The Women of the RFL and RL Commercial', published by the website The anonymous authors described a 'pattern of misogyny, bullying, and dismissive behaviour toward women' by men working in the sport. 'Over time we have gathered extensive evidence of inappropriate behaviour, including misogynistic comments and demeaning actions by a small group of men within the wider sport – behaviour that has no place in our future,' the letter stated. 'Additionally, we have observed representatives of the sport publicly berating and belittling women, perpetuating a culture of disrespect and inequality.' In response to the letter an RFL spokesperson said: 'We have whistleblowing procedures and confidentiality is part of that process.' The whistleblowing complaints follow weeks of in-fighting in rugby league, which resulted in the resignation of Johnson as the RFL chair, with three female directors, Sandy Lindsay, Dr Cherrie Daley and Julia Newton, also stepping down. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Wood was chief executive of the RFL from 2008 to 2018. His return to the RFL board was pushed by several Super League clubs led by Leigh and Leeds, disillusioned with the existing RFL leadership over a number of issues, particularly the declining value of the TV contract with Sky Sports and their handling of the financial crisis at Salford Red Devils. Before this month's board changes the RFL wrote to the clubs warning that Wood's proposed return could have 'catastrophic financial consequences' as it would lead to 'multiple breaches' of Sport England's governance code, due to a perceived lack a independence as a result of his position at Bradford. A new interim board was therefore appointed by the RFL last week to ensure compliance with the code, with Wood, Sutton and the finance director, Rob Graham, becoming executive directors alongside five independent non-executive directors. The new board will meet for the first time on 1 April. The Guardian has learned, however, that rugby league's Australian powerbrokers are distinctly unimpressed with the RFL's board changes. This is a pivotal moment for the sport given the NRL is seriously considering buying a stake in Super League after the successful Las Vegas Roadshow earlier this month involving four NRL clubs, plus Wigan and Warrington. Significantly, the latter clubs abstained from a Super League vote to appoint Wood to lead the strategic review. 'Super League are trying to attract investment, but they now seem more interested in fighting among themselves,' an NRL source said. 'This will not help. We have built strong relationships with the RFL and Super League recently, and that has now been jeopardised at the worst possible time.' There is also an international dimension the English game's civil war. As RFL chair Johnson had a seat on the IRL board, which runs the international game, but sources at the IRL have indicated he may not be replaced.
