Silver Lake’s Deal for New Zealand All Blacks Stokes Players’ Concern
New Zealand’s Joe Moody breaks away to score the opening try during the Rugby World Cup match between New Zealand and Wales in Tokyo in 2019.
Photographer: Stu Forster/Getty Images
New Zealand Rugby’s ambitious plans to sell a slice of revenue to a private equity investor could be stymied by the nation’s leading players, who fear control of the iconic All Blacks brand may be lost.
Silver Lake Management LLC has pledged to invest NZ$387 million ($278 million) into the game by taking a 12.5% stake in a new entity that will own the commercial revenue from the All Blacks brand. Last week, the provincial unions that govern the game gave New Zealand Rugby officials clearance to finalize the Silver Lake deal. But it still needs the consent of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, which has expressed grave concerns.