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The good, the bad, and the rugby: The legal and commercial challenges of private equity investment in sport in Australia and New Zealand
August 31, 2022
In recent years, private equity (PE) investment in sport has enjoyed a renaissance, with Cricket Australia considering a number of PE bids and the shareholders in the controlling body for the All Blacks, New Zealand Rugby (NZR), approving a $180m investment in the commercial arm of NZR
Is bigger always better? The commercial and legal challenges of expanding the NRL (Part II)
August 19, 2021
Despite negotiations slowing in the wake of a second wave of COVID-19 in Australia, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) remains committed to adding a new club to expand the national first grade competition, the National Rugby League (NRL).
Is bigger always better? The commercial and legal challenges of expanding the NRL (Part I)
July 22, 2021
For any rugby league fan in Australia, whispers of expanding the national first grade competition, the National Rugby League (NRL), brings great interest and debate. In recent months, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Chairman Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo have expressed concrete plans to add a second Brisbane-based club in 2023 and hope to introduce a further 18th club to the league by 2027.
Governance reform amidst a pandemic: the unenviable task facing World Rugby’s re-elected chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont
May 19, 2020
Sir Bill Beaumont has won the race to be re-elected World Rugby’s chairman for another four years. The former England and Lions captain saw off a spirited challenge from his vice-chairman, Agustín Pichot, who had vowed to shake up rugby union in order to capitalise on its growing international appeal following the success of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
COVID-19: frustrating a sporting nation
April 14, 2020
Sport around the world has become collateral damage of another world health crisis. In Australia, as an exponential number of people are forced into self-isolation by the emerging and potentially deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), the enjoyment they experience from sport is compromised at a time when many normally would seek refuge in watching their favourite team.
Does competition law still have a role to play in sport? The failed challenge by Saracens
February 21, 2020
In November last year, the English professional rugby club, Saracens, was heavily sanctioned by a league disciplinary panel for breaches of the salary cap rules.
Saracens overstep the line – what happens next?
December 20, 2019
As England were boarding the plane home from Japan days after a World Cup final defeat by South Africa, a significant story was surfacing back in England.
Trade secrets: the price paid for a mid-season trade period
September 25, 2019
As the 2019 Australian Football League (AFL) season draws to a close, the post-Grand Final debate looks set to be dominated by the issue of whether a mid-season trade period should be introduced.
Head Injury Assessment protocol
May 01, 2019
Rugby is a confrontational and physical sport. Its nature requires both players and teams to put aside the very real prospect of finishing the game pretty sore and even a bit beaten up.
Steinhoff, the cost to South African rugby?
March 12, 2019
The Steinhoff Saga, possibly the biggest case of corporate fraud in South African history, has dominated South African and global news headlines since the company’s share price collapsed on 5 December 2017, when its CEO, Markus Jooste, resigned and the company admitted to accounting irregularities.