The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has greatly affected the sports and entertainment industries. The blow is big enough that some leagues are not able to pay their players.
According to reports, rugby union teams around the world have raised concerns that their efforts to raise funds for their budgets have been crippled by the regulations abolishing gatherings. Their main source of income has been from tickets to the rugby stadiums, sponsorships, and betting.
At the moment, the season playoffs have been halted. If they resume any time soon, the matches will have to be played in empty stadiums. After all, the teams do not want to violate the regulations set by the government.
The popularity of rugby union has grown with numerous countries joining from all parts of the world. This has only made it better because the fan base has also been growing. All over the world, there are different competitions ranging from the Rugby World Cup to the World Rugby Sevens Series.
In history, none of these tournaments has ever been hit by a disaster to the extent that they have at the moment. COVID-19 has hit every corner of the world, and all active matches remain suspended as the officials look for solutions that will keep them active while honoring the directives given by health officials.
Many rugby players cannot get their salaries because they are not playing. Additionally, their respective clubs cannot raise enough money to pay them. As such, many have stopped buying their fitness enhancement gear as explained by Steroids Evo experts. All they want is to wait and see what will happen to the current season in rugby union.
COVID-19 has also caused sponsors of rugby teams to withdraw because they do not have income. Again, many want to save the finances they have for this uncertain future. Truly, the future of global rugby is greatly shaken.
First, the near future is likely to see players get on to the pitch to play. However, they will do so without live audiences in stadiums. The officials are collaborating with TV and online streaming platforms to show live matches to all fans. In return, they will try to get as much revenue as possible from these endeavors.
Another possible move is an attempt to acquire other sources of revenue. Apart from streaming the matches and obtaining subscriptions from fans, they will also try to source new sponsors and supporters.
Notably, the players have started to get a pay cut, and this might cause chaos in the global rugby teams. Good players will try to move to clubs that can afford to buy them and maintain a good pay. Others will quit this career and seek other employment for sufficient income.
Although the global rugby teams are already suffering, officials claim that the post coronavirus era will be a new dawn. New teams will crop up while others will have long died. It is not a surprise that some competitions will be eliminated because of a lack of finances and that they will never come back. For those that will survive, they will take some time to get back on their feet.
