American Investors for Tigers?

[RagingBull]

I definitely think Scott is looking for an out.
Just don't see anything in this article other than speculation to give it substance

[Dangerous4]

Would not want a complete buy out, but if it looks good, let them have 49% of shares.

[kk20gb30]

To say the least , a rather vague submission in terms of corroborative fact.

[wellstiger]

After yesterday - are the Glaziers looking for a change of direction. Jog on....

Like we've said all speculation and no substance. If I light a match will it catch fire...??? Still needs oxygen and energy.

[Tiglon]

I'm not sure how the prospect of an unnamed American investor is a negative, unless we're dealing in xenophobia and general American stereotypes.

We've all seen the way this club treats people, and the way this sport treats competitiveness and inclusivity. Amateur values and meritocracy left rugby many years ago - having club owners from a different country won't change that.

Who knows, perhaps there are some Americans out there who would even like to help the sport move past the one amateur legacy still remaining - the corrupt old boys club. Maybe they might even want to put an end to the exploitation of developing Pacific nations and their people?

Either way, let's stop pretending that rugby is a haven of morality that would be tainted by outsiders. That horse (if he even existed in the first place) hasn't just bolted, he has run past the horizon, somehow managed to purchase a cheap plane ticket to Tibet and lived a happy and peaceful life in a small house in the foothills of the Himalayas, before passing away in his sleep surrounded by loved ones. RIP Cinnamon, you magnificent and possibly imaginary steed.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Either way, let's stop pretending that rugby is a haven of morality that would be tainted by outsiders. That horse (if he even existed in the first place) hasn't just bolted, he has run past the horizon, somehow managed to purchase a cheap plane ticket to Tibet and lived a happy and peaceful life in a small house in the foothills of the Himalayas, before passing away in his sleep surrounded by loved ones. RIP Cinnamon, you magnificent and possibly imaginary steed.

Gutted thought Cinnamon would have made it to the moon by now if he hadn't passed away

[ay2oh]

Obviously a glass half empty man. If you think that the rugby fraternity is full of selfish self serving people suggest you are mixing with the wrong crowd.

[Tiglon]

Obviously a glass half empty man. If you think that the rugby fraternity is full of selfish self serving people suggest you are mixing with the wrong crowd.

The fact that you think of a rugby as a "fraternity" tells me everything I need to know. Did you know that women are allowed to play rugby now? And vote too?

I bet you put your blazer on just to write that post, and then congratulated yourself on your 100th "glass half empty" comment.

[BFG]

The fact that you think of a rugby as a "fraternity" tells me everything I need to know. Did you know that women are allowed to play rugby now? And vote too?

I bet you put your blazer on just to write that post, and then congratulated yourself on your 100th "glass half empty" comment.

I could not put that any better.

[Traveller]

Obviously a glass half empty man. If you think that the rugby fraternity is full of selfish self serving people suggest you are mixing with the wrong crowd.

The fact that you think of a rugby as a "fraternity" tells me everything I need to know. Did you know that women are allowed to play rugby now? And vote too?

I bet you put your blazer on just to write that post, and then congratulated yourself on your 100th "glass half empty" comment.

It's all getting a bit personal and spiky. Presumably we're all Tigers supporters on here..........................play the ball not the man.

[JP14]

Perhaps Tiglon could have said it a bit less confrontationally, but I agree that it would be stupid to reject this offer outright without thought.

The growth of the MLR in America is opening investors' eyes to the potential of the game. CVC is just the start, as football proves for every Aiyawatt you get the Glazers, it's just the luck of the draw.

[RagingBull]

Obviously a glass half empty man. If you think that the rugby fraternity is full of selfish self serving people suggest you are mixing with the wrong crowd.

And you are telling me the people up top running the clubs are the crowd you mix with?

[ay2oh]

Obviously a glass half empty man. If you think that the rugby fraternity is full of selfish self serving people suggest you are mixing with the wrong crowd.

And you are telling me the people up top running the clubs are the crowd you mix with?

No just the general rugby fans

[CrumblingTerrace]

Either way, let's stop pretending that rugby is a haven of morality that would be tainted by outsiders.

Having an American investor is entirely consistent with the direction the game is going, so in itself I don't seem it controversial.

However, I sense the passion on this thread is because there's a much bigger question - being posed in football right now - that gets to the very soul of the game.

Are we, the supporters, comfortable with the direction the pro game is heading? Is it palatable that corporate investors own part or all of our competitions, clubs and national teams? Are we confident that their profit imperative won't erode something at the core of rugby?

[johnthegriff]

There is nothing in the article that suggests any sort of offer has been made or even that any specific company are even considering making an offer. Rugby is a comparatively young professional sport, so far no investor has seen profits that make the investment worthwhile, most have in fact lost substantial amounts. It is possible that in the long term a business with rugby at it's core and able to hold conferences and events maybe even a hotel or casino etc may develop into a profitable investment but that is a big big risk. Why then should anybody invest in our sport, the answer is because some wealthy people love the game or their club and spend generously on it. Much maligned characters like the owners of Saracens, Bath, Exeter and even our own major shareholders take the abuse from ungrateful fans of their own clubs who accuse them of greed or opposition fans who name them as cheats often (but not always) without evidence. Without them our game and our clubs may cease to exist, we have seen non rugby investors seeking a quick buck walk away from the game, Hall, Levitt, Warren and others we have seen clubs fail and others cling on by the skin of their teeth. Investment of the right sort is welcome but if someone wants to buy in the first question we should be asking is why.