A record £99.6M ($134.7M) was "invested in English rugby union in the last year," the Rugby Football Union revealed, according to the BBC. The annual report, published on Thursday, shows an 11% increase in the money put into the sport in '16-17. The RFU said that the figures, which include an operating loss for the year of £6M ($8.1M), show the "commitment to invest all profits into rugby." Year-on-year revenues were down, as the '15-16 results included revenues from the World Cup. The governing body added that its balance sheet "remains strong," with net assets of £215M ($290.8M). The RFU's investment in Rugby Development increased by £1.8M ($2.4M) to £35.9M ($48.6M), while investment in the professional game rose by £8M ($10.8M) to £63.7M ($86.2M) (BBC, 11/30). The PA reported there was £228M of Rugby World Cup revenue in '15-16. The '16-17 revenue of £184.9M ($250.1M) was 20% greater than the last season with the same match profile ('12-13) "and excluding any World Cup impact." RFU Group Finance Dir Richard Daniel said that the total investment in the five years of the strategic plan cycle has reached £408M ($551.8M), up by £55M ($74.4M), or 16%. Growth was attributed to: ticketing (up 87%), with 1.1 million seats sold for 17 matches at Twickenham; broadcasting (up 3%) and merchandising and licensing (up 27%). Ticket revenues (excluding World Cup games) increased by £17.6M ($23.8M) as Twickenham hosted seven games. A growth in capital of £22.1M ($29.9M) comes following the sale of £28.2M ($38.1M) in debentures. The RFU balance sheet shows profit and loss reserves of £18.5M ($25M). The RFU also "pointed to a sixth successive year of increased investment in rugby development and its commitment to investment in facilities, including artificial grass pitches" (PA, 11/30).
