Sweeney earns £1.1 million while English rugby struggles

In England, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has been facing significant challenges, reflected in their annual report showing an operating loss of £37.9 million. Concurrently, CEO Bill Sweeney received a total payment of £1.1 million, which includes a basic salary, a bonus, and a long-term incentive plan. This financial decision has sparked outrage among fans and stakeholders, especially considering that England's senior men's rugby team won only five out of twelve games in 2024, indicating poor performance on the field. The RFU's challenges were exacerbated by their failure to sell broadcast rights for matches held in Japan during the summer.