Can Rugby Teams Become Profitable | Julia Chapman, Northampton Saints CEO

There couldn’t be a better time to have this chat. After the big news that Prem Rugby is set to become a franchise league, we welcome Northampton Saints CEO Julia Chapman to the show. There is so much to unpick from this: what does it mean for the individual clubs? What opportunities does it offer the players? How will it impact the core business model? But there is also a huge amount to look at from the local level. One of the Prem’s great clubs, Saints have an amazing history with a dedicated fanbase that demonstrates the appetite and commitment of the audience to club rugby in England. Time to get stuck into the ins and outs of domestic rugby with a guest who we have had many requests for in the past. We’re delighted to welcome Julia to the Business of Sport. ---------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:04 Prem Franchise Response 06:16 Performance vs Finance 16:28 TikTok In The World Of Rugby 21:38 Do You Have To Spend The Most To Win The Most? 36:56 All Eyes On Youtube 39:52 Women’s Rugby In The Club 42:23 Key Strategy For Club Development ---------------------------------------------------- In Today's Show We Discuss: 1. The Business of Northampton Saints How winning the Premiership created a sell-out season ticket boom The financial reality of running a Premiership rugby club Why owning the stadium is one of the club’s biggest competitive advantages 2. The Economics of Club Rugby Why player salary spend directly correlates with league position How academies allow smaller clubs to compete financially Why club rugby struggles to convert international fans into paying subscribers 3. Commercial Growth in Modern Rugby The power of player personalities and social media in growing audiences How clubs monetise content, partnerships and hospitality Why brands increasingly want access to players and behind-the-scenes content 4. The Future of Rugby Clubs Why Premiership rugby is moving toward a more aligned league structure The investment required to modernise stadiums and unlock revenue Why women’s rugby could become one of the sport’s biggest growth drivers ---------------------------------------------------- Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1lD0eIj... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Follow Harry Stebbings on X:   / harrystebbings   Follow Charlie Stebbings on X:   / charliestebbs   Follow Northampton Saints on X:   / saintsrugby   Follow Business of Sport on Instagram:   / bizofsport   Follow Business of Sport on TikTok:   / bizofsport   ---------------------------------------------------- #businessofsport #charliestebbings #juliachapman #rugby #northamptonsaints #womensrugby