NZ Rugby gets players’ blessing in smaller Silver Lake deal

The commercial value of the All Blacks is estimated to be $3.5 billion. (Image: Getty)

Thu, 17 Feb 2022

New Zealand Rugby has reached a deal with the NZ Rugby Players Association to bring in US equity firm Silver Lake as a minority partner in a deal valuing the All Blacks commercial machine at $3.5 billion.The national rugby union had been at odds with its 300-to-400 marquee players on how to raise funds to grow the game, who were wary of Silver Lake’s ability to deliver on its promise.The agreement will still see NZ Rugby carve out its commercial business into a separate entity, but Silver Lake will take a smaller stake at a higher valuati...

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