SRU faces £12m black hole if autumn Tests are called off

Dominic McKay warns of enormous challenge if rugby remains on hold

SRU chief operating officer Dominic McKay and SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster met with the Scottish Government. Picture: SNS

Scottish rugby is facing a minimum £12 million black hole if, as looks increasingly likely, no sport is played in the rest of the calendar year due to the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.

SRU chief operating officer Dominic McKay was frank when he outlined the grave situation his organisation and the game in this country is facing in the prospect of the three home November Test matches against New Zealand, Argentina and Japan not taking place.

“[SRU chief executive] Mark [Dodson] is on record as talking around the autumn Tests having a financial challenge to the organisation, if they don’t go ahead, of around £12 million. That was some time ago when that figure was referenced. It would be fair to say that every day that passes the challenge affecting ourselves becomes ever greater,” said McKay, in reference to the fact that all other rugby outside the international game, from Guinness Pro14 to grassroots is on hold.

McKay represented the union at a meeting with the Scottish Government on Tuesday along with leading officials from football and horseracing.

“We’ve got an enormous fight on our hands – as all sports do just now. Our income is generated through events which produce revenues from television, sponsors and spectators. Without events, which are the lifeblood of professional sports, you have a real challenge. But we are just one part of society. While it is a big challenge for us, there are bigger challenges out there in society.

“I was asked yesterday by the Sports Minister [Joe FitzPatrick] what it means for Scottish rugby financially and it is a significant challenge. I can’t underestimate how enormous it is.

“That’s not just for Scottish rugby from a governing body perspective; it is for the whole sport in Scotland. When I was speaking to the Minister yesterday, I made it very clear the ramifications from the challenge we are all facing just now affects communities the length and breadth of Scotland.”

The UK government pledged a £16m bailout to the sport of rugby league at the weekend and McKay said he would hope that the contribution rugby union makes in Scotland will be recognised by the powers that be.

“Sport has a role to play in the economy, that £152m [rugby contributes] we generate for the Scottish economy is significant, but also the ability to lift the mood of the nation,” he said.

“But that has to be when it is sensible and appropriate and I can’t emphasise that enough, we will be led totally by government and the medics. But we want to get out back playing rugby.”