Maximising the opportunity of Rugby 7s in Australia

[p.Tah]

Back in 2011, a group of Australian business men were keen on invest in Australian sevens.

A GROUP of 15 businessmen headed by former Myer chairman Bill Wavish and television presenter David Koch is negotiating with the Australian Rugby Union to buy into the Australian seven-a-side program in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Wavish yesterday told The Australian the businessmen, who he described as rugby aficionados and tragics, were not interested in taking over the abridged version of the game, but simply wanted to ensure Australia was well placed to exploit the opportunities opening up following the admission of sevens, both men's and women's, to the Olympic Games program.
"It would not be ownership per se, but we would look to shoulder some of the burden of the sevens program in the run-up to Rio," Wavish said.
An ARU spokesman confirmed the union was looking at alternative revenue streams to build the sevens profile, but stressed it would not be selling the brand to private equity nor losing ownership of it.
Wavish declined to reveal how much money the group intended to invest, but said it was planned to start off by adding 50 per cent to the existing, undisclosed ARU sevens budget, with the aim of increasing support as sevens' Olympic debut drew closer.

50% of the Australian 7s budget would have been two 5ths of nothing. Anyway, the ARU shouldn't sell the 7s brand but they could outsource a tournament to a promoter similar to what the NRL did with the 9s.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...corporate-circle/story-e6frg7o6-1226023530106

 

[Jagman]

If channel 9 win this race will anyone be watching Sevens on FTA at the next Olympics?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sp...broadcast-rights/story-e6frf61c-1226833013436

 

[Dave Beat]

If channel 9 win this race will anyone be watching Sevens on FTA at the next Olympics?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sp...broadcast-rights/story-e6frf61c-1226833013436

I've tried so hard to watch 7's on fox, and cant last longer than one game.
Went to a couple of the club sevens this year, and it was a good day out.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

If channel 9 win this race will anyone be watching Sevens on FTA at the next Olympics?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sp...broadcast-rights/story-e6frf61c-1226833013436

Abso-bloody-lutely, and posting all about it on G&GR.

 

[Jagman]

Abso-bloody-lutely, and posting all about it on G&GR.

Sorry I was implying that channel 9 will not want to promote rugby sevens over NRL and 9s and will either not show it or move it to an unwatchable hour and rugby won't get any publicity out of it much like 9s coverage of the RWC.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

It will be the olympics. There will be saturation coverage of all things olympic, especially events that Aussies are likely to do well in, or may have a good rating to sell to advertisers.

Rugby 7's will be all over and done with in a day or two and may be scheduled for a mid week time slot.

Mungo and all other sports will be punted sideways during the Olympics. You have to remember that the Brazil live action timeslot will not conflict with prime time in Australia.

If we win Gold at Rugby 7's, there will be saturation coverage of that regardless of whatever other sports are on. We just have to beat NZ, Fiji, SAF, and the Soap Dodgers first.