ERC Statement On Proposed TV Deal

Following a media announcement yesterday (Wednesday, September 12), ERC has raised questions over a purported deal by Premiership Rugby to sell the UK broadcast rights to European club rugby tournaments.

While awaiting further information regarding Premiership Rugby’s proposed agreement with BT, the ERC Board, which met in Dublin today, believes that any such agreement would be in breach both of IRB regulations and of a mandate from the ERC Board itself.

European club rugby’s six participant Unions have granted the authority to sell broadcast rights to its tournaments solely to ERC.

It was unanimously agreed at an ERC Board meeting on June 6, 2012 that ERC would conclude a new four-year agreement with Sky Sports for the UK and Ireland exclusive live broadcast rights to the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup until 2018. Premiership Rugby was party to that decision.

ERC remains determined to honour its own commercial commitments and to continue its work to further develop the European club game.

All ERC stakeholders are scheduled to convene in Dublin on Tuesday, September 18 to begin the formulation of a new Shareholder Agreement for the 2014/15 season and beyond.

ERC Board of Directors –

Independent Chairman: Jean-Pierre Lux

England: Rob Andrew (RFU), Peter Wheeler (Premiership Rugby)

France: Michel Palmié (FFR), René Bouscatel (LNR)

Ireland: Philip Browne (IRFU), Peter Boyle (IRFU)

Italy: Fabrizio Gaetaniello (FIR), Orazio Arancio (FIR)

Scotland: Ian McLauchlan (SRU), Mark Dodson (SRU)

Wales: Roger Lewis (WRU), Stuart Gallacher (RRW)