New Research Paper Offers Vital Insights into Financial Turmoil in English Rugby Union

Two of UCFB’s academics have published his latest work focusing on finance within the rugby union industry.

Following the success of his previous paper, “Introducing a Model of Business Sustainability in English Professional Rugby Union”, published in Managing Sport and Leisure (Golding, A., Plumley, D., & Wilson, R., 2023), Andy Golding is delighted to announce the publication of his latest academic work:

“Financial Turmoil in English Professional Rugby: A Holistic Performance Assessment of English Rugby Union Clubs (2003 – 2022).”

As a prelude to the Leonard Curtis Rugby Report 2024 this paper, co-authored with leading sports finance experts Professor Rob Wilson (UCFB/VSI), Dr. Dan Plumley (Sheffield Hallam University), and former UCFB MSc Sports Management student Max Weaver, provides critical insight into the financial challenges currently facing English Premiership Rugby Clubs.

The research comes at a crucial time in highlighting and addressing the issues that are impacting the financial sustainability of the sport.

As highlighted in the paper, clubs are encountering a financial crisis on an unprecedented scale, with several high-profile clubs such as Wasps RFC, London Irish RFC, and Worcester Warriors, having already gone to the wall. 

The research presents irrefutable financial data, which raises serious concerns over the long-term viability of the league if reforms are not urgently implemented.

In light of these findings, the paper offers practical recommendations and potential solutions to ensure the financial health of the sport, urging a shift from a focus on short-term sporting gains to a more sustainable, long-term vision for league organizers and member clubs.

Sharing his perspective on the research, Andy Golding said: “This paper comes at a pivotal time for the Rugby Premiership as the sport faces significant financial challenges.

“It is my hope that the data presented will support informed decision-making, helping the league not only stabilise but also enabling it to grow into a more sustainable and financially secure entity for future generations to enjoy.”

This vital research was published in Sports, Business and Management: An International Journal.

Access the full paper here.

You can also find out more about UCFB’s many sports business-related degree courses.

Andy Golding is a Sports Business specialist at UCFB and considered expert on professional rugby union currently delivering Executive Education with VSI and UCFB, helping to develop the global leaders and Sporting Directors of tomorrow.

Professor Rob Wilson is a world-renowned expert in applied sport finance, Academic Lead at UCFB, and Programme Director at VSI Executive Education.