Expanded Super looks to cash in
Bret Harris | June 30, 2009
Article from: The Australian
DESPITE the gloomy world economy, the SANZAR partners -- South Africa, New Zealand and Australia -- will be hoping for a significant increase in the value of their broadcast rights when they submit their proposal for an expanded Super rugby competition to News Ltd today.
The new conference-style Super 15 competition, which will have an additional team based in Australia, will run for 24 weeks, including a six-team finals format, increasing the number of games from 90 to 120.
The expanded competition will run from March to September, starting in 2011.
There is also the possibility of Super 15 being shown on free-to-air television for the first time with Channel 10 believed to be interested in acquiring rights for its new sports channel, Digital One.
The present deal is worth $US350 million ($434 million) over five years, but SANZAR is believed to be anticipating the increased volume to translate into added value.
A source in South Africa told The Australian yesterday that the South Africans were looking forward to an increase of up to 40per cent in revenue.
"This new competition model will drive a lot of value," the source said. "There is a 33 per cent increase in the number of games and significant local content."
Rugby Union Players Association chief executive Tony Dempsey was confident the new Super package would be attractive to broadcasters.
"It's a great proposal for broadcasters," Dempsey said. "There is greater volume and consistency, which allows broadcasters to build viewers."
While the location of the 15th team is yet to be decided, News Ltd will be aware of SANZAR's decision to base it in the Australian conference.
Melbourne, Gold Coast and western Sydney will make bids, while the Southern Kings from South Africa's Eastern Cape may also join the race.
SANZAR will provide the bidders with the criteria for expressions of interest within the next two weeks. The bidding will finish in October and a decision on the location of the new team will be made in November.
Melbourne is regarded as the favourite, although the Gold Coast is seen as a dark horse.
Victorian Rugby Union chairman Gary Gray hinted the defunct Australian Rugby Championship's Melbourne Rebels could be revived as a Super 15 team, although he said no decision had yet been made on a name or colours.
"We've already got some equity in that brand," Gray said. "It's a positive in Melbourne, it was seen as successful.
"It fits very well in terms of its values. It's sort of an underdog, which Melbourne will always be in the rugby community."
Additional reporting: AAP
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html
