Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver has "applauded the Western Force’s new public ownership initiative and is open to the idea of other Super Rugby franchises adopting the model," according to Bret Harris of THE AUSTRALIAN. In response to "speculation the financially struggling Force would be cut from Super Rugby" in '18, RugbyWA announced last Friday that West Australians "could purchase ownership of the franchise." Based on community ownership principals that have been implemented by Barcelona and the NFL Green Bay Packers, 5,000 ownership certificates will be sold for A$1,000 ($765) each. Pulver: "I gather there are a couple of initiatives to try and raise funds in the west. ... I have been given detail just to suggest there are people interested in looking at the opportunity. If that’s the case, I would applaud it and look forward eventually to hearing what they’ve got to say." Asked whether he would "like to see the other Super Rugby franchises adopt the public ownership model," Pulver said, "It’s one structural option that we would always be prepared to look at." Former Wallabies and Force player Scott Staniforth has "already expressed interest in investing in the franchise." He tweeted, “I’m in. Rugby needs a national footprint and the west is vital!” (THE AUSTRALIAN, 11/2).
