A deal to expand the Pro12 to 14 teams from next season has reportedly "been agreed," according to Tom English of the BBC. South African sides Cheetahs and Southern Kings "will join the league after losing their Super Rugby status." The six-year deal "is likely to benefit the league" to the tune of an extra £6M ($7.8M) per season from the South African Rugby Union and additional TV income. All elements of the deal "have been agreed and, once legally ratified, could be formally announced next week" (BBC, 7/18). In London, Ben Coles reported currently made up of four Irish and four Welsh provinces, along with two sides from Scotland and two from Italy, the Pro12 "is expected to be split into two conferences of seven teams" with the addition of the two South African franchises (TELEGRAPH, 7/19).
WORST-KEPT SECRET: REUTERS' Nick Said reported the addition of the Cheetahs and Southern Kings to the Pro12 "is expected to be rubber-stamped in the next week when the worst kept secret in rugby is finally revealed." With revenues currently sitting at £12M ($15.6M) per year, the extra £6M per season "is a significant boost for a competition which has been held in various guises" since the first edition in '01. Irish Rugby Football Union CEO Philip Brown said, "There's all sorts of potential issues with going to North America, potential issues if South Africa emerged as a realistic option, but I think what you have to do is weigh up those potential issues with the risk of doing nothing. The risk of doing nothing with the Pro12 in the long term is the greater risk" (REUTERS, 7/18).
SPECIAL PROTECTION: The BBC's Gareth Griffiths reported "lucrative domestic derby matches would be protected" in an expanded Pro12. Games between local rivals "will remain even if they play in different conferences." Derbies attract the competition's biggest crowds "and are set to be part of a 21-match regular season." The four Welsh regions and Irish provinces currently play six derby matches in the regular season, with the Scots and Italians playing two each (BBC, 7/19).
DESPERATE TIMES: English also commented "the bottom line in all of this is money." The main goal "is not so much about strengthening the quality of the league" -- although that is "obviously an aim" -- it is "about getting access to new cash in the increasingly expensive world of professional rugby." It is about "getting more finance in an attempt at not being lapped by the truly moneyed clubs of England and France." There will be skepticism about the format -- and, in some cases, "outright condemnation and forecasts of the death of the league" -- but the finances of this "have to be taken into consideration in any analysis." This league "desperately needs to bring in more money" (BBC, 7/19).
