New Zealand Rugby: investment firm Silver Lake (USA) acquires a 12.5% stake (€231.4m)

The American investment firm Silver Lake's 12.5% stake in New Zealand Rugby (NZR), for NZ$387.5m (€231.4m as of 29/04/2021), was ratified at the federation's 129^th annual general meeting on 29/04/2021.

The 26 provincial federations and the board of the Maori All Blacks (Maori national team) voted unanimously in favour of Silver Lake's proposal. The deal with the US investment firm still needs the approval of the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association (NZRPA), which had opposed Silver Lake's offer back in January 2021 (see below). Mediation between the players' union and New Zealand Rugby, which began on 01/04/2021 and was suspended when the provincial federations deliberated, will continue this week, according to NZR.

"We are thrilled that our Provincial Unions and the Māori Rugby Board have recognised the importance of private equity in driving commercial revenue and enabling investment to ensure rugby thrives and survives into the future. Today's vote for Silver Lake represents a transformational opportunity for our game and one we must grasp," said Brent Impey, chairman of New…