NPR

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/yormark-sa-rugby/

Roc Nation Sports president Michael Yormark has called for drastic changes in the way South African sport, including rugby, is run.

Yormark was speaking at the 2021 Hollard Sport Industry Awards on 25 November along with event MC and sports broadcaster Motshidisi Mohono.

During the conversation, Yormark opened up about issues affecting South African sport, including the relationship between the South African franchises and SA Rugby, and whether professional rugby players are given enough of a say.

Founded in 2008, Roc Nation has grown into one of the world’s biggest entertainment companies, with Roc Nation Sports launched in 2013.

Roc Nation Sports first popped up on the South African sports industry radar at the end of 2019, when it signed World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi before the agency added fellow Springboks Cheslin Kolbe, Sbu Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi to its books, along with former Bok prop Beast Mtawarira.

Yormark said the South African sports industry can do far more to capitalise on the star power of its players.

“When you think about South Africa, the players have no voice and there is no true partnership,” Yormark said. “The governing bodies control sport, whether it’s rugby, cricket or football – the players don’t have a seat at the table and are not involved in the decision-making.

“That’s a problem. We’re trying to elevate the influence of athletes in South Africa to push them to the table, to give them that opportunity to be true partners in the sports that they are participating in. That’s one of the biggest differences between sports in South Africa and America.”

Yormark is a member of the American consortium that acquired a 51% controlling share in the Sharks in January.

He said that other South African teams would do well to follow suit in acquiring private capital.

“One of the things you would have seen recently with the Sharks is the influence of private ownership, and that’s another area that South Africa is going to have to accept moving forward,” he added.

“They have to attract private ownership. That’s how they are going to grow these clubs, which currently in South Africa are undercapitalised.

“They need capital infusion, they need best practices from American sport, they need to understand the concept of true partnership between the governing bodies, the fans, the clubs and the players. And once they are willing to accept that, we can take sport in South Africa and truly bring it to the next level and make it profitable.”

Yormark added that the dynamic between SA Rugby and the franchises also needs to change.

“Rugby clubs [franchises] in South Africa are secondary to the national team, and that can’t happen,” he said. “That dynamic needs to change, because as a secondary priority to your national team, they’ll never survive.

“In rugby and football, it’s the clubs who are paying the players, enriching the local community, and creating jobs on a consistent basis in each of their local markets. The clubs are super, super important – they can’t be treated like the stepchild, and they can’t be just a feeder system to the national teams. It’s not right, it has to change, and we’re going to do everything we can to impact that change.”

Welcome to the world of $hark$ rugby. Playing rugby for $ not for the badge.

Personally I think they do understand the primacy of international rugby.

They just want to undermine it because it stands in the way of them controlling the sport and making money. These are American capitalists, their only concern is financial, the integrity of the game, the importance of test rugby all completely immaterial.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:52 am Welcome to the world of $hark$ rugby. Playing rugby for $ not for the badge.

Go on. I'd like to know how the WPRFU can contribute to this conversation.

I think Yormark is 100% correct, I'm not sure what there is to argue with.

Many of South Africa's unions are run like amateur old-boys clubs. We moan about losing players abroad, but it is the local unions who can't afford to keep them.

Professionally run unions will only benefit the Springboks.

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:10 am I think Yormark is 100% correct, I'm not sure what there is to argue with.

Many of South Africa's unions are run like amateur old-boys clubs. We moan about losing players abroad, but it is the local unions who can't afford to keep them.

Professionally run unions will only benefit the Springboks.

I think it loses the marks on the point of profitability. Pro sport is a business, but not one where the aim in itself is to make a profit - at least that is how most customers view it.

Pro sports place in society is the dynamic these companies are making a stake in that the public's views on it are wrong or manipulable.

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:05 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:52 am Welcome to the world of $hark$ rugby. Playing rugby for $ not for the badge.

Go on. I'd like to know how the WPRFU can contribute to this conversation.

$hark$ became a $ business.You'll see more and more this kind of quotes coming from the Americans.

He said that other South African teams would do well to follow suit in acquiring private capital.

“One of the things you would have seen recently with the Sharks is the influence of private ownership, and that’s another area that South Africa is going to have to accept moving forward,” he added.

“They have to attract private ownership. That’s how they are going to grow these clubs, which currently in South Africa are undercapitalised.

This is super important. We have to be realistic about the growth potential of our franchise brands but they are nowhere near optimized right now. Covid put a spanner in the works but the writing was on the wall before that arrived. Dwindling crowds and mismanagement, moribund brands. SA pro rugby was in a downward spiral. Setting up the right business models and driving them is critical.

Clubs like the Sharks and WP have a limited window now to take advantage of the support of the diaspora. That combined with the local fanbase is a fair chunk of cheese. The Bulls have a hardcore base who are prepared to back the club financially through thick and thin. The Lions are the weak one of the big 4. I still think they should somehow team up with the Cheetahs.

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:10 am I think Yormark is 100% correct, I'm not sure what there is to argue with.

Many of South Africa's unions are run like amateur old-boys clubs. We moan about losing players abroad, but it is the local unions who can't afford to keep them.

Professionally run unions will only benefit the Springboks.

Rugby was amateur for 100 years for the precise reason of keeping the Yormarks of this world at bay. He knows or cares SFA about rugby as a sport, all he wants to do is play every angle available to extort the most money out of it.

When you sell out to private capital you 've just turned something you care about into an asset for some interlopers financial portfolio.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:44 am

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:05 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:52 am Welcome to the world of $hark$ rugby. Playing rugby for $ not for the badge.

Go on. I'd like to know how the WPRFU can contribute to this conversation.

$hark$ became a $ business.You'll see more and more this kind of quotes coming from the Americans.

SA rugby went pro in 94. All the unions have business arms. Its time for them to become fully pro clubs at arms length from the unions.

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:52 am When you sell out to private capital you 've just turned something you care about into an asset for some interlopers financial portfolio.

It's a professional sport.

If I want to want amateur rugby, I'll pop down to my local club or school.

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:55 am

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:52 am When you sell out to private capital you 've just turned something you care about into an asset for some interlopers financial portfolio.

It's a professional sport.

If I want to want amateur rugby, I'll pop down to my local club or school.

I don't see your point tbh.

I find it disconcerting that rugby supporters could be so trusting of someone who has virtually no track record of involvement in rugby and no ties or emotional investment in the sport.

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:55 am

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:52 am When you sell out to private capital you 've just turned something you care about into an asset for some interlopers financial portfolio.

It's a professional sport.

If I want to want amateur rugby, I'll pop down to my local club or school.

Yep much easier to poach top players from other franchises.

US Pro sports clubs are amazing imo. The followings they have are unbelievable. The Packers are owned by a non-profit co. But they're the only NFL team with that kind of ownership. But their traditions and fanbase are no different from say the Patriots who are owned by billionaire Robert Kraft. Their fortunes have soared since he came in and injected capital. When he came in they were almost bankrupt and about to lose their stadium.

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:03 am I find it disconcerting that rugby supporters could be so trusting of someone who has virtually no track record of involvement in rugby and no ties or emotional investment in the sport.

Conversely, unions run by amateurs and ex-players don't exactly have a great track record either.

Results on the field are all that matter.

ROC Nation are in this to raise the profiles of individual players not for the overall good of rugby. I’m not sure how well that approach is going to sit with the sport

Slick wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:22 am ROC Nation are in this to raise the profiles of individual players not for the overall good of rugby. I’m not sure how well that approach is going to sit with the sport

South African pro rugby players who remain in our domestic game need to really maximize whatever opportunities come their way. Beast is doing marvelously out of the ROC partnership as is Siya Kolisi. Our guys finish their careers and emerge into a world of 35% unemployment. Anything that helps them build their nest eggs and post career security is a good thing imo.

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:05 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:52 am Welcome to the world of $hark$ rugby. Playing rugby for $ not for the badge.

Go on. I'd like to know how the WPRFU can contribute to this conversation.

I want to know if Oom also worked decades only for pride and badge.

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:03 am

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:55 am

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:52 am When you sell out to private capital you 've just turned something you care about into an asset for some interlopers financial portfolio.

It's a professional sport.

If I want to want amateur rugby, I'll pop down to my local club or school.

I don't see your point tbh.

I find it disconcerting that rugby supporters could be so trusting of someone who has virtually no track record of involvement in rugby and no ties or emotional investment in the sport.

I find it understandable that lots of Saffers are always in favour of whatever increases earning potential, theirs is a very different economic reality to much of the rest of tier 1.

I'd like to think that this won't affect the rest of the rugby world too much, because there's no way Roc Nation has enough money or interested investors to sway the rest of the significant rugby nations into allowing things that devalue international rugby.

That said, this prick clearly knows sweet fuck all about rugby and doesn't want to learn either. His ilk shouldn't be allowed within spitting distance of the game.

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:18 am

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:03 am

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:55 am

It's a professional sport.

If I want to want amateur rugby, I'll pop down to my local club or school.

I don't see your point tbh.

I find it disconcerting that rugby supporters could be so trusting of someone who has virtually no track record of involvement in rugby and no ties or emotional investment in the sport.

I find it understandable that lots of Saffers are always in favour of whatever increases earning potential, theirs is a very different economic reality to much of the rest of tier 1.

I'd like to think that this won't affect the rest of the rugby world too much, because there's no way Roc Nation has enough money or interested investors to sway the rest of the significant rugby nations into allowing things that devalue international rugby.

That said, this prick clearly knows sweet fuck all about rugby and doesn't want to learn either. His ilk shouldn't be allowed within spitting distance of the game.

$hark$ supporters will backed him.

handyman wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 8:33 am

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:05 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:52 am Welcome to the world of $hark$ rugby. Playing rugby for $ not for the badge.

Go on. I'd like to know how the WPRFU can contribute to this conversation.

I want to know if Oom also worked decades only for pride and badge.

Yes I did

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:22 am

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:18 am

Hugo wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:03 am

I don't see your point tbh.

I find it disconcerting that rugby supporters could be so trusting of someone who has virtually no track record of involvement in rugby and no ties or emotional investment in the sport.

I find it understandable that lots of Saffers are always in favour of whatever increases earning potential, theirs is a very different economic reality to much of the rest of tier 1.

I'd like to think that this won't affect the rest of the rugby world too much, because there's no way Roc Nation has enough money or interested investors to sway the rest of the significant rugby nations into allowing things that devalue international rugby.

That said, this prick clearly knows sweet fuck all about rugby and doesn't want to learn either. His ilk shouldn't be allowed within spitting distance of the game.

$hark$ supporters will backed him.

I support him. But then when your union has to be put under administration because you cannot manage it well then you can just vokof from the conversation. SARU has been subsidizing salaries at WP for years now. You have to look at it in perspective. Which would you prefer. A mass exodus of top players or being in the position to have 3 world players because you have the financial clout to afford it.

Sards wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:44 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:22 am

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:18 am

I find it understandable that lots of Saffers are always in favour of whatever increases earning potential, theirs is a very different economic reality to much of the rest of tier 1.

I'd like to think that this won't affect the rest of the rugby world too much, because there's no way Roc Nation has enough money or interested investors to sway the rest of the significant rugby nations into allowing things that devalue international rugby.

That said, this prick clearly knows sweet fuck all about rugby and doesn't want to learn either. His ilk shouldn't be allowed within spitting distance of the game.

$hark$ supporters will backed him.

I support him. But then when your union has to be put under administration because you cannot manage it well then you can just vokof from the conversation. SARU has been subsidizing salaries at WP for years now. You have to look at it in perspective. Which would you prefer. A mass exodus of top players or being in the position to have 3 world players because you have the financial clout to afford it.

I was coming in here to see if Sards has any new material, alas, same old drum, same old tune.

Worse than DSTV with repeating shit.

handyman wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 10:02 am

Sards wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:44 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:22 am
$hark$ supporters will backed him.

I support him. But then when your union has to be put under administration because you cannot manage it well then you can just vokof from the conversation. SARU has been subsidizing salaries at WP for years now. You have to look at it in perspective. Which would you prefer. A mass exodus of top players or being in the position to have 3 world players because you have the financial clout to afford it.

I was coming in here to see if Sards has any new material, alas, same old drum, same old tune.

Worse than DSTV with repeating shit.

No vok. You lot are morons. Complete and utter tards. You do vokol about it when your union is falling apart. Just sit back and say....oh well. Not one of you had the balls to get public involvement into forcing a position. It's like...." hey boets, it's all cool. We are a DA run territory so chill...it will get sorted out man. ".

Yoh.............

I must say I have bought into this whole...." it's the Cape man, chill "......vibe. But you would expect it at my age. You youngsters are intitled. You have never worked a hard day in your lives. I spit on you. You are going to destroy it.

BTW that was a response to bitter ouboet regarding the $hark$. I feel for him. The youngsters....ai tog

This is what the Sharks are doing now


WP players are drinking pineapple beer and home brewed wyn already

This thread is going as well as expected!!!

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 11:08 am This thread is going as well as expected!!!

Noone takes me seriously.....and I don't expect them to.

Sards wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 10:52 am

handyman wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 10:02 am

Sards wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:44 am

I support him. But then when your union has to be put under administration because you cannot manage it well then you can just vokof from the conversation. SARU has been subsidizing salaries at WP for years now. You have to look at it in perspective. Which would you prefer. A mass exodus of top players or being in the position to have 3 world players because you have the financial clout to afford it.

I was coming in here to see if Sards has any new material, alas, same old drum, same old tune.

Worse than DSTV with repeating shit.

No vok. You lot are morons. Complete and utter tards. You do vokol about it when your union is falling apart. Just sit back and say....oh well. Not one of you had the balls to get public involvement into forcing a position. It's like...." hey boets, it's all cool. We are a DA run territory so chill...it will get sorted out man. ".

Yoh.............

I must say I have bought into this whole...." it's the Cape man, chill "......vibe. But you would expect it at my age. You youngsters are intitled. You have never worked a hard day in your lives. I spit on you. You are going to destroy it.

BTW that was a response to bitter ouboet regarding the $hark$. I feel for him. The youngsters....ai tog


WP players are drinking pineapple beer and home brewed wyn already

I was coming in here to see if Sards has any new material, alas, same old drum, same old tune.

Worse than DSTV with repeating shit.

The Americans have no respect for the roots of sport.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 12:01 pm The Americans have no respect for the roots of sport.

Neither do your fellow supporters so so what

The NH don't need the Americans $. Like WP they value rugby culture.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 1:54 pm The NH ....

How's that for sweeping generalisations

assfly wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:39 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 1:54 pm The NH ....

How's that for sweeping generalisations

We are going to have to get used to this penis envy

FalseBayFC wrote: Fri Dec 10, 2021 7:05 am US Pro sports clubs are amazing imo. The followings they have are unbelievable. The Packers are owned by a non-profit co. But they're the only NFL team with that kind of ownership. But their traditions and fanbase are no different from say the Patriots who are owned by billionaire Robert Kraft. Their fortunes have soared since he came in and injected capital. When he came in they were almost bankrupt and about to lose their stadium.

Flip side is that owners can pack up and move cities if they aren't making enough moolah.

$hark$ CEO have to consult with the Americans to poach from South Africa poor unions.

SA Rugbymag

During Friday’s virtual meeting of SA Rugby’s main council, union and franchise bosses were heated over the distribution of the R21-million surplus.

According to the report, the smaller unions, led by Griffons president Rudy September, wanted the money to be divided solely between the non-franchises (Boland, EP, SWD, Falcons, Griffons, Border and Leopards) and the domestic franchises (Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas).

However, both Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee and Bulls president Willem Strauss said that would be unfair, due to the losses sustained by the international franchises.

SA Rugby’s proposal was that the international franchises should each receive an additional R3,064-million for TV rights for the year while the domestic franchises would receive an additional R1,672-million and the non-franchises R458,000.

The Lions, Bulls, Sharks, Pumas, Griquas, EP and Cheetahs reportedly voted in favour of SA Rugby’s proposal, but the Falcons, Griffons, SWD, Boland and the Leopards were against it.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander then asked for a vote on September’s proposal, but Coetzee threatened to leave before requesting a break to consult with Sharks shareholders. After consultation, Coetzee reiterated that the Sharks were dissatisfied with September’s proposal and it was abandoned.

A compromise proposal from the Cheetahs also failed.

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux then decided that the division would take place according to SA Rugby’s formula. This means 47% of the R21-million will be paid to the international franchises, 19% to the domestic franchises, 12% to the non-franchises and 2% to the Limpopo Blue Bulls.

Ouboet . You stink of jealousy.

Sards wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:58 pm Ouboet . You stink of jealousy.

Sadly your CEO can't take rugby decisions on his own. Your lawyers don't know where Welkom is.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 5:45 pm

Sards wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:58 pm Ouboet . You stink of jealousy.

Sadly your CEO can't take rugby decisions on his own. Your lawyers don't know where Welkom is.

You are becoming a very sad man ouboet.

Roc Nation are an agency for 'raising athletes profiles'. They don't care about rugby, they care about getting their clients as much exposure as possible.

I do worry that they're a front organisation to a coup by American private equity. They'll hire Kolisi, Farrell, etc, and make the players union powerful. Then players under guidance from Roc Nation will pressure to sell rights to the yanks.

Lemoentjie wrote: Tue Dec 14, 2021 9:52 am Roc Nation are an agency for 'raising athletes profiles'. They don't care about rugby, they care about getting their clients as much exposure as possible.

I do worry that they're a front organisation to a coup by American private equity. They'll hire Kolisi, Farrell, etc, and make the players union powerful. Then players under guidance from Roc Nation will pressure to sell rights to the yanks.

Why is foreign ownership a worry? If they can bring in capital then I don't see a problem. Not as if they are corporate raiders or asset strippers. The returns on their investment would be entirely dependent on the ongoing success of the franchise. Which is a win for fans, players and owners.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:46 pm $hark$ CEO have to consult with the Americans to poach from South Africa poor unions.

SA Rugbymag

During Friday’s virtual meeting of SA Rugby’s main council, union and franchise bosses were heated over the distribution of the R21-million surplus.

According to the report, the smaller unions, led by Griffons president Rudy September, wanted the money to be divided solely between the non-franchises (Boland, EP, SWD, Falcons, Griffons, Border and Leopards) and the domestic franchises (Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas).

However, both Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee and Bulls president Willem Strauss said that would be unfair, due to the losses sustained by the international franchises.

SA Rugby’s proposal was that the international franchises should each receive an additional R3,064-million for TV rights for the year while the domestic franchises would receive an additional R1,672-million and the non-franchises R458,000.

The Lions, Bulls, Sharks, Pumas, Griquas, EP and Cheetahs reportedly voted in favour of SA Rugby’s proposal, but the Falcons, Griffons, SWD, Boland and the Leopards were against it.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander then asked for a vote on September’s proposal, but Coetzee threatened to leave before requesting a break to consult with Sharks shareholders. After consultation, Coetzee reiterated that the Sharks were dissatisfied with September’s proposal and it was abandoned.

A compromise proposal from the Cheetahs also failed.

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux then decided that the division would take place according to SA Rugby’s formula. This means 47% of the R21-million will be paid to the international franchises, 19% to the domestic franchises, 12% to the non-franchises and 2% to the Limpopo Blue Bulls.

Juire must "hou sy bek" and repay the R37 million he misappropriated. Not sure how his position is tenable after that judgement.