Roger Tuivasa-Sheck close to signing with Rugby360
The Warriors center and former All Black, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, is reportedly close to signing a contract with the Rugby360 rugby competition, in a deal valued at almost 1 million Australian dollars per season. According to reports, Tuivasa-Sheck is in negotiations to join the competition in 2027, playing the last year of his contract with the Warriors next year. It was revealed that Tuivasa-Sheck would be earning close to $550,000 per season with the Warriors, and his new deal with R360 would double his earnings. NRL star Ryan Papenhuyzen would also be in the league’s sights, along with teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona.George mentioned that he brought up the topic in a recent meeting of CEOs to ensure that everyone is aware of the real and genuine concept of Rugby 360. Furthermore, he is aware of the players who have been interviewed and contacted, as well as the important financial opportunities that this could generate, especially in relation to the players’ personal brand.Warriors CEO Cameron George expressed his concern about the new rugby competition to the NRL.
Cameron George
What is Rugby360?
Directed by former England center Mike Tindall, Bath executive Stuart Hooper, Mark Spoors, an executive at Wasserman, an American sports marketing and talent management agency, and former LIV Golf lawyer John Loffhagen, the competition seeks to be a level above club rugby. The competition will include eight men’s and four women’s teams that will compete in a condensed season format, with the league being contested in “grand prix” style events around the world. The concept is based on the Indian Premier League (IPL) and LIV Golf as sports disruptors. The league has already received interest from sponsors of the Premier League, Formula One and the NFL.Where does the money come from?
The competition’s funding includes sports-dedicated investment funds and private investment from Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The competition has already received all the necessary funding to start in 2026, with the goal of being profitable by 2027.Where will R360 be held?
R360 is planned to take place worldwide, including locations such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Camp Nou in Barcelona, and MorumBIS in Sao Paulo, while New York and Los Angeles have also been mentioned.When will R360 be held?
Finding a space in an already complicated rugby calendar will be difficult, but R360 is already aiming to play the 16-match season in two windows, from April to June and from August to September, with rounds taking place in a different city each week. This will mean that the competition will be played during the southern hemisphere’s international window and could prevent players from playing for their national teams, although they are unlikely to be eligible to play anyway.Why was R360 developed?
It’s no secret that rugby worldwide is struggling, with at least 12 professional teams having gone bankrupt in recent years, including the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific and Wasps and Worcester RC in the Premiership, while seven out of 10 in the UK owe more than they own. Meanwhile, broadcast agreements, such as those seen in Australia and the UK, have placed rugby behind a paywall, which has reduced spectator participation. According to Tindall, “rugby is feeling the consequences of recent years with poor financial management, declining investment in the club game and a product that is struggling to evolve.” Furthermore, he added that clubs around the world are feeling the pressure and being propped up by the international game. Rugby’s lack of innovation and ability to change risks losing its appeal to new audiences and its younger market.
