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Rugby Australia is set to finalize its broadcast deal with Nine Entertainment and Stan Sport on the verge of signing a five-year extension.
According to News Corp According to the report, it is understood the trustees will be hoping to increase revenue from the current AU$30 million per annum with the new deal covering 2026-2030.
The news comes at a critical time for the sport, with the broadcast deal set to take into account the 2027 and 2029 World Cups as well as World Rugby’s Nations Cup, currently scheduled to begin in 2026.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh and Rugby Australia Chairman Daniel Herbert. (Photo credit: Matt King/Getty Images)
Negotiations are said to be progressing well, but Rugby Australia will be looking to confirm the deal quickly to not only free up cash flow but also secure talent during this period.
The lack of certainty over broadcast deals has reportedly led a number of players to consider overseas options, with Langi Gleeson set to move to French top 14 club Montpellier, which has left him out of the first Wallabies camp of the year.
A lack of clarity over Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s future has added to uncertainty.
Joe Schmidt’s undecided future at the Wallabies will only add to the players’ concerns, on top of broadcast negotiations. (Photo credit: David Rogers/Getty Images)
Some famous players including Fraser McLight, Tom Wright, Nick Frost, Jake Gordon, Matt Paestler, Lucan Salakaia-Loto, Thane Edmed, Taniela Tupou, Noah Rolecio, Harry Wilson, and Len Ikitau are all eligible for the 2025 squad. The contract ends after this year. It is known that he has already been targeted by overseas clubs.
For some, it may already be too late. Ikitau is reportedly negotiating a major deal in Japan.
Nine enjoyed an exclusive negotiation period with RA to finalize the new deal, which ended on December 31. News of the broadcast deal has been strengthened following the news that former broadcaster Foxtel was sold to British sports streaming service DAZN (including all AFL, cricket and NRL content) in December.
However, while both parties appear to have finalized a completed deal, several key details remain unconfirmed and remain a concern.
One of the major problems that has arisen has been across the Tasman, with Sky reportedly offering the New Zealand Rugby Union a multi-million dollar downgrade to its current broadcast deal.
New Zealand currently has a NZ80 million (AU$72 million) annual contract with the broadcaster. However, reports are starting to spread that the downgrade could see the contract drop to as low as NZ50 million (AU$45.2 million) per year. .
The decline will have a significant impact on both unions given their joint investments in companies such as Super Rugby Pacific, and could plunge the entire business into an uncertain future if increased trading in Australia fails to offset losses across the Tasman.
Roar editor Christy Doran traveled to Seattle with VisitSeattle.org to explore the city’s electric sports atmosphere, outdoor adventures and renowned food scene. Click here to see his latest adventures in the Emerald City.
