World Rugby announced strong financial results for '14 and details of a record investment program for '15. Consolidated financial results for the third year of World Rugby's '13-16 business cycle demonstrate a better than anticipated planned operating loss with funding invested and utilized by World Rugby in '15 set to total a record £53M ($83M). With rugby participation at an unprecedented 7.2 million and growing, it is anticipated that the core investment will remain at approximately this level throughout the remainder of the cycle, with total investment anticipated at £201M ($314M), eclipsing the previous '09-12 £150M investment commitment by 34%. The loss for the year before the Int'l Financial Reporting Standards adjustment was £1M ($1.56M), which represents a position significantly ahead of forecast and reflects the growth in rugby popularity worldwide, particularly in major markets. Better than anticipated cashflows and commercial program outcomes, combined with costs in line with expectations, resulted in a net position for '14 that was ahead of budget. World Rugby has underwritten key programs focused on increasing the
competitiveness of int'l 15s and sevens via its £44M ($68.7M)
strategic investment program over four years. The commercial program for Rugby World Cup 2015 is set to achieve
record levels, driven by confidence in the Rugby World Cup brand,
particularly in the European broadcast market. Revenues are currently in
line with budget but ahead of schedule, with all worldwide partnerships
completed in record time (World Rugby).
