Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

Int'l Rugby Board Weighs Up Banning Mobile Phones For 2015 Rugby World Cup

The Int'l Rugby Board "is weighing up whether to ban players from using mobile phones on matchdays during Rugby World Cup 2015 as a preventative measure against match-fixing," according to Tom Hamilton of ESPN. Reports in the French press on Monday said that "the IRB was considering bringing in the measure to combat any risk of match-fixing in next year's showpiece and CEO Brett Gosper said it is just one of many options the governing body is weighing up." Gosper said, "We don't want to apply anything that's overly draconian or doesn't take into account the normal way players use their phones but to a certain extent we have to ensure we are not taking any risks in the gambling area." Last February the IRB "issued a directive saying players were banned from betting on any form of the game" and while 2015 Rugby World Cup Head Alan Gilpin does not believe match-fixing to be a concern for the game at present, he said that "it is right the stakeholders in the game stay on top of any future risk." Gilpin: "The use of mobile phones is under consideration. It is about being appropriate. Finding the right balance between taking the right steps to protect the integrity of the tournament and the sport but not doing anything that is over-draconian" (ESPN, 11/18).

NAME CHANGE: The AFP reported the IRB "formally changed its name to World Rugby on Tuesday at the conclusion of its two-day conference in London." Explaining the reason for the change, World Rugby Chair Bernard Lapasset said, "Today's launch embodies our mission statement to grow the global rugby family beyond our traditional family and fan base and reflects the federation's evolution from rugby regulator to rugby inspirer" (AFP, 11/19).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2014/11/20/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/IRB.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2014/11/20/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/IRB.aspx

CLOSE