Bill Sweeney, the chief executive of the RFU, has earned a record-breaking £1.1 million (R24 million) in a year marked by unprecedented financial losses and widespread challenges in English rugby.
According to a report by The Times, Sweeney’s base salary rose from £684,000 to £742,000, an 8.5% increase, but he was also paid a one-off £358,000 bonus tied to the RFU’s performance since the Covid-19 pandemic.
This payout made him the highest-earning CEO in British sports governing bodies — excluding severance packages — and raised questions about leadership priorities during a tumultuous period.
The RFU’s annual report revealed a staggering £37,9 million (R860,5 million) operating loss for 2023-24, attributed to the high costs and reduced revenues of a men’s World Cup year.
This financial shortfall eclipses those of other unions, with the Welsh Rugby Union and Scottish Rugby posting losses of £7.5 million and £11 million, respectively.
Participation in rugby remains a concern, with adult player numbers still below pre-pandemic levels. While the RFU reported modest increases in registered boys and girls playing the sport, it missed its targets for inclusivity and community engagement.
Meanwhile, England’s senior men’s team endured a dismal year, winning just five of 12 Tests in 2024, including two defeats in New Zealand and three narrow autumn losses before a consolation victory against Japan.
Sweeney admitted the results were “disappointing” but claimed they had put England “firmly back on the map of the world’s best teams” — a statement met with skepticism given the side’s ongoing struggles under head coach Steve Borthwick.
Photo: Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
