The first Rugby World Cup in 1987 had gross revenues of just €4 million. In Japan four years ago, it was around €550 million. This time around, it will breach the €700 million mark. So, what is driving the commercial growth of the game, and how will it expand in the future?
In this podcast, Ian Kehoe talks to former Irish rugby player Rob Kearney and to Robert Brophy, the former CFO of World Rugby and now the Lead Adviser for Sports, Media & Leisure of Interpath Advisory. They discuss Ireland’s progress in the current World Cup, the opportunities for rugby to grow commercially and to expand into new markets, and the role of sponsorship in rugby. They also analyse the growth of the female game, the future of rugby, and whether Ireland can win the World Cup. The Currency’s Rugby World Cup coverage is in association with Interpath Advisory.