Rugby: a net profit of €3.4m and turnover of €117m for New Zealand Rugby in 2021

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has posted a net profit of NZ$5.5m (€3.4m) for the financial year 2021 (-$34.6m in 2020), announced the body on 28/04/2022. "The organisation's first financial profit since 2017 was a credit to the way rugby's stakeholders, partners and staff had pulled together to tackle the significant challenges presented by Covid-19 during 2021," added the body.

NZR's revenue recovered to "post-Covid levels by $51m to $189m (€117m) in 2021, primarily driven by increases in broadcasting revenue and sponsorship & licensing. Altrad were secured as a new major global partner, replacing AIG as the official front of jersey sponsor the All Blacks (men's rugby union team) and Black Ferns (women's rugby union team), while Ineos signed up as performance partner and Taisho came on board as premium global partner from 2022. Expenses rose by $26m to $183m, mainly due to more rugby being played than in 2020," explained the Federation.

"NZR's investment in women and girl's rugby was $11m (€6.8m) in 2021 and is forecasted to be $27m (€16.7m) in 2022, including $10m directly to Rugby…