NZ Rugby returns to profit in 2017 on Lion’s tour, open to offers for post-2021 TV rights

By Nikki Mandow March 1 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand Rugby returned to profit in 2017 following a successful (financially at least) 10-match tour by the British and Irish Lions, which added $40 million to the bottom line. The national rugby administration body reported a profit of $33 million in calendar 2017, turning from a loss of $7 million in 2016. Income rose 59 percent to $257 million.   Chief executive Steve Tew said profit beat NZR's forecast by almost 18 percent and income was 5 percent above its expectation. "2017 had an u...