CVC investment in Guinness PRO14 benefit for Glasgow Warriors

The Guinness PRO14 has today confirmed a multi-million pound investment from CVC Capital Partners (CVC), marking the conclusion of a significant investment process involving Scottish Rugby that will benefit Glasgow Warriors.

Against the current COVID-19 pandemic background and the associated
concerns it has generated in society and sport, the conclusion of the CVC
project will provide some positive news for rugby across the PRO14 nations of
Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy.

The Scottish Rugby Board will consider this new investment as part of
its ongoing budget management and has no immediate plans for the allocation of
the funds. It intends to safeguard the investment until a clearer picture
emerges of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson said: “We believed, and were
quite clear, that the potential for external investment into our sport was possible
and were in the vanguard of this through the delivery of the CVC partnership.

“The conclusion of the CVC investment into PRO14 is the culmination of a
huge amount of work and is a welcome positive boost for the sport in these
extremely challenging times.

“It demonstrates a confidence in the future of rugby in Scotland and our
PRO14 partner nations and shows the tournament is an attractive commercial proposition,
which is open to innovative thinking and partnership working.

“This deal has a value to rugby in Scotland and the PRO14 beyond the
financial transaction as it brings CVC’s knowledge and influence on board, which
we look forward to seeing the benefits of in the years to come.

“Our current focus remains on supporting the rugby community at every
level at this difficult time and keeping our staff, players and all those
associated with the game safe.”

In
the past four years the Guinness PRO14 has performed well both on and off the
field, doubling distributions to clubs and facilitating record investment back
into the sport from the league. This has been recognised by CVC, who share
PRO14 Rugby’s vision for the long-term potential of the league.

CVC
was selected by PRO14 Rugby and the unions as their partner due to the
extensive experience of prior CVC funds investing in multiple sports
businesses, such as Formula 1, MotoGP and Premiership Rugby.

Dominic
McKay, Chairman of Celtic Rugby DAC and Chief Operating Officer of Scottish
Rugby, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to welcome CVC into
the Guinness PRO14 as our partner. As a PRO14 Board, we have been ambitious in
our outlook and have significantly developed the league in recent years. One of
our key goals was to secure a strategic partner to help accelerate our plans
and CVC bring a wealth of experience and great expertise in this regard.

“Sport,
like all of society is dealing with major challenges currently that we could
not have imagined just a few months ago, and it is testament to the strength of
our partnership with CVC that they havecommitted to the game of rugby in a such a significant way.

“Their
enthusiasm and commitment is a welcome vote of confidence in the future of the
sport and the Guinness PRO14 as an international competition. Completing this
partnership with CVC is testament to the hard work invested by many people who
have focused to deliver a bright vision for PRO14 and enable it to realise its
commercial value in the global sports market.

“We
are also delighted that the FIR has now joined Celtic Rugby DAC as a
shareholder after 10 years of participation in the league. Alongside my PRO14
Board colleagues at the Irish, Italian, Welsh and South African rugby unions I
would like to warmly welcome CVC to the Guinness PRO14.”

Martin
Anayi, CEO of PRO14 Rugby, said: “CVC’s show of faith has been
impressive and is in keeping with their proven track record of success when it
comes to sports investment, including Formula 1, MotoGP and Premiership Rugby.
This partnership allows all of our stakeholders to plan for a sustainable
period of growth, which will benefit the game, the players and our fans.

“We
are very pleased to partner with CVC, who saw us as an ambitious, fast paced
and innovative organisation, situated across a number of core rugby nations
that can deliver an increasing impact.

“We have been clear that we believe the Guinness PRO14 is a world-class club league, that is still in its growth phase and we are confident that it will become a major standard bearer in our sport. We are excited that CVC clearly shares that ambition and we look forward to working with them to deliver on the league’s promise in the years ahead.”