More here: https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2019/04/16/premiership-rugby-announces-ceo-succession-plans/

Yes, there were those who said "it's only a 27% stake they aren't in charge".

Well now they've taken control of the whole commercial operation.

But that's what they were specifically brought in to do, so it's not exactly a surprise. Let's not pretend people were worrying about what the commercial side was going to be doing.

Don't worry I'm sure they have plans for cardboard cut-outs and inflatable fans with a crowd soundtrack for all future televised games.

Owen Slot on the button. CVC made money out of F1 but destroyed the sport for British viewers. I used to watch and go to Slverstone don't bother now or any of my friends. I have no wish to be able to brag about having Amazon, Netflix or anything else I have a life and don’t have time for all these subs. I enjoy rugby. I chucked Sky and if BT give up and ring fencing comes in will chuck season ticket/Debenture and go to my local club and maybe the odd Six Nations. It won’t bother with pointless matches going no where.

But, but there is no relegation in the 6 Nations.....

But there might be, one day...I hope!

An alternative viewpoint:

Premier rugby want to increase revenues. They have identified TV as a potentially lucrative source of said increases. Does it not therefore make sense to employ someone with strong knowledge of and contacts in said industry?

Yes, on the face of it.

But (endlessly repeated) that both is and isn't what is going on.

CVC aren't interested in rugby's future beyond its marketability and TV rights.

Lots of people claimed they weren't in control because it was a "27% stake".

The man who did the deal for the Prem now works for that self-same private equity firm.

The private equity firm has placed its choice of CEO in charge of Premiership Rugby.

He has no previous experience in sport, his only experience is in media - and growing revenue from rights deals like he did at UKTV.

Have no doubt that the commercial future of rugby depends only on new markets for the game and not existing fans, people going to stadiums or when or where anyone plays their matches.

If you imagine Premiership Rugby's role may be to protect certain elements of the tradition of the sport - no longer. Its explicit role is now to exploit untapped commercial environments to sell the game to.

If those sectors want different kick off times, different days of play, different rules -- money will rule.

money will indeed rule, it'll rule all decisions. For 2 or 3 years. Then CVC will sell at a profit and walk away. In the meantime, the clubs and rugby may well benefit financially as well the question mark will be what will rugby look like afterwards and what happens to the fan experience in the UK as a result.

That's my entire point. They will cash out at the top of the market. It's their duty to not care about the sport as a sport in its historic context solely as a cash-generating device.

If those sectors want different kick off times, different days of play, different rules -- money will rule.

I don't necessarily disagree with any of this but...

We already have evening kick offs
We already have games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

I'm not sure how a league (i.e. Prem Rugby) can massively change the laws (not rules, dear boy!) of the game. That for me is the big difference between the CVC/PRL deal and their ownership of F1.

They can suggest law changes but even in England, wouldn't the RFU have to ratify them?