RUGBY UNION could be set to for an unprecedented change amid plans for a “Formula 1 style” breakaway league, according to reports.
Talks are understood to be at an “advanced stage” for an eight-team franchise format featuring the top 200 players in the world.
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Rugby Union could be set for a historic shake-upCredit: Getty
It would take place across a host of major cities, acting as a “rugby circus” – much like F1 does on a fortnightly basis.
UK and US investors, led by London-based global advisory firm Milltown Partners, would ensure the competition is the biggest event going on in each city on that particular weekend.
According to The Telegraph, a “significant majority” of the sport’s top players have already committed to the project.
It could lead to players having to choose between club and country – with a court battle of up to £500million expected to ensue between organisers of the breakaway league and national unions and governing bodies.
Players, who would be auctioned off to the eight teams, would earn salaries in the region of £700,000 – with organisers taking inspiration from the Indian Premier League and LIV Golf.
The provisional start date is 2026 in the US.
The Times are reporting each set of fixtures – which would see the eight franchises face each other twice across 14 rounds – would include concerts and entertainment “to engage new audiences”.
Investors have also pledged to set up a full-time women’s professional league.
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The breakaway league is the biggest attempt to change the fabric of rugby union since Australian businessman Kerry Packer sought to recruit players back in 1995 when the sport went professional.
On that occasion, the unions ended up blocking the move and retained control.
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But the sport is at a precipice after new World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson warned on Thursday that the game is at “crisis point”.
One source for the breakaway league told The Telegraph: “We want more fan engagement, a better product on the field, fewer games for players and a commercial model to allow more money to flow into the game at every level by appealing to new audiences.
“We want to remove barriers of entry to the sport by taking it to all corners of the world.
“There will be a full release for international games because that is the pinnacle for every player, but we want to enhance and amplify the sport to protect its future.”
Non-disclosure agreements are understood to have been signed by rugby agents and executives in an attempt to further negotiations.
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