IPL-style Premiership revamp suggested by Bath owner

According to Bath owner Bruce Craig, reviving the Premiership as a collection of centrally licensed franchises, similar to cricket’s Indian Premier League, would bring investment and stability to the competition.

After Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish’s bankruptcies ruined confidence and finances for elite clubs, English rugby’s powerbrokers are considering major changes to the top flight.

Craig believes that the prospect of moving into the second tier, which has much smaller budgets and income, discourages new investment and conneers current owners into unsustainable spending.

According to Craig, “The instability it breeds has resulted in short-term decision-making, investor uncertainty, and, in some cases, financial ruin.”

It is no longer possible to persist in a system that restricts investment and prevents long-term growth.

Clubs will no longer have to risk their futures in order to survive in the wake of a new franchise system. Instead, they can concentrate on creating a strong, sustainable, and attractive sport that draws fans from all over the nation.

The Rugby Football Union Council’s 62 members represent the sport’s entire game, but the organization’s leadership is open to creative ideas to advance the sport. To do so, they would need to be approved for a radical change.

However, it’s unlikely that any changes to the franchise model will be made right away.

A route to gradually increasing the number of teams competing may be by means of a revamped Premiership licensing process that could be time-limited, reviewed, and possibly revoked.

Before Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish stopped operating, the division had plans to grow to 14 teams out of 10.

Due to the uncertainty brought on by the Covid pandemic, promotion and relegation between the Premiership and Championship were suspended in February 2021.

However, Doncaster is currently sixth and in danger of capturing the Championship.

In an independent audit, it was determined that the leaders of the other two clubs, which had to apply to be assessed, lacked sufficient solid plans for expanding their home turf.

Coventry’s CEO, Jon Sharp, expressed concern that the franchise model might shut out other teams with ambitions to compete at the highest level, while stating that his club would be interested in the franchise model.

Worcester, which have undergone a new ownership, will now have an expanded Championship next season, while Wasps and London Irish both hope to do so after being removed from power.

Although multi-millionaire Craig purchased Bath in 2010, his significant investment has only recently proven to pay off in a grueling fight for the top of the table.

In their first Premiership final appearance in nine years, Bath defeated Northampton last year. They are 15 points clear of reaching the European Challenge Cup semi-finals and are currently 15 points clear at the top of the standings this year.

He continued, “This is not about self-interest.”