Hollywood beckons to CAP

[UKHamlet]

Hollywood producers bid to buy Cardiff from WRU and launch blockbuster TV series
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A new consortium interested in buying Cardiff Rugby spoke exclusively to WalesOnline

A consortium led by Hollywood producers has launched a bid to buy Cardiff Rugby from the Welsh Rugby Union - promising a bold revival for the club and an innovative TV project to boost its global appeal.

British-born producer Gareth West, whose credits include the film Ferrari, has partnered with Mark Williams, best known for producing the critically acclaimed Netflix series Ozark and hit movies The Accountant 1 & 2, in the bold move. They are joined by Danish executive Niels Juul, known for his work on major Hollywood productions such as Silence, The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Former Cardiff Rugby director Martyn Ryan and Rhino Sport & Leisure CEO Reg Clark are also part of the consortium, which aims to inject significant funds into the club and introduce a scripted television series to raise Cardiff’s global profile.

Cardiff entered administration in April and were saved by the Welsh Rugby Union. This consortium is one of six who have expressed an interest in buying Cardiff and have plans to invest significant money into the club.

In an exclusive interview with WalesOnline, the group laid out their ambitious vision to restore Cardiff Rugby as a powerhouse in Welsh and European rugby, while also tapping into global audiences through storytelling and media.

Cardiff will almost certainly survive any cull in the number of teams, but this consortium are conscious the model of running a professional club has to change.

“It's a multi-faceted project and there's a number of individual things within that," Ryan told WalesOnline.

"We are talking about media, we are talking about apparel, we are talking about TV, all with the goal of increasing fan engagement.

"These guys have got untold experience of American fan engagement, all of those will come together to drive the investment.

"That will then help recruit the best players, men and women - we plan on adding a women’s side as well - which will produce better sides.

"In the meantime do we need to bring in players? Yes, for sure.

"When we won in Bilbao we had a really good blend of Islanders, Valleys boys and the Pontcanna crowd.

"That's what we need to do. It's a 10-year project to be talking about winning at the top end of the European game, but realistically we missed out on getting into Europe by one point last year.

"A properly run, more concentrated team with strong players should be achievable within a reasonable timescale.”

A key component of the proposed takeover is the development of a scripted television series based on Cardiff Rugby - not a documentary, but a show inspired by the club, the city and its culture.

“Mark Williams is leading the development of the scripted television series," West told WalesOnline. “The project will be a fully written drama, rather than a fly-on-the-wall series.

"This will really help put the club and the city of Cardiff on the map around the world."

While the television project is ambitious in size and scope, the consortium insists their primary focus is on rugby success.

If their bid is accepted, they plan to invest in the squad, coaching staff, and infrastructure, while also working to retain and develop Welsh talent.

"I always remember the excitement when players like Jonah Lomu came and you had all of these greats on the team," West told WalesOnline.

"The other important thing is working to keep Welsh talent in Wales, and make sure that it is an aspirational club for players to play for.

"You've got to have the right players, the right coaches and the right strategy.” Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.

Many supporters will have their reservations after Helford Capital's time at the club. Rhino CEO Clark acknowledged the concerns, but insists this group has the credibility and commitment to follow through.

"The thing which has impressed me about these guys is there's a tendency to jump into the end bit which is a TV show which interests people in Welsh rugby and Cardiff Rugby," Clark told WalesOnline.

"That takes time. The first period is simply about running a rugby club effectively, and then when the series is a success where does it go big? The United States.

"All of these people all of a sudden are interested in Cardiff and Cardiff Rugby, that's the launching pad.

"The message I would get across to the Cardiff fans is that these are very real people.

"They have real track records who are used to operating substantial projects on a global scale.

“The first thing is it has got to happen on the pitch and there's got to be stability and people have got to know these guys are in for the long-term."

Looking ahead, the group is realistic about the timeline. The first phase will be focused squarely on the rugby, improving results, retaining talent, and creating a professional environment that draws players in.

"The first two years will be very much about on-field," said West.

“The club can't grow unless it's growing on the field, so that is where you start.

"You've got to have the right scouts and we've got to work out how to keep Welsh players at academy level, that's so important.

"The creativity will then come from the long-term work on the marketing and a television series.

"With fresh investment, bold ideas, and a deep respect for tradition, our aim is to transform Cardiff into more than just a team.

"The consortium intends to create a community, a brand and a story that resonates far beyond the pitch."

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... f7296caae3

[newgalesurf]

So... Welcome to Cardiff without the superstar presence

But a full drama, not a fly on wall. How would that work. And how much interest in the actual real life rugby.

WRU can pocket a ton of cash and put it with the hotel funds. Bet they will still shaft the other 3 teams

[Sandydragon]

So... Welcome to Cardiff without the superstar presence

But a full drama, not a fly on wall. How would that work. And how much interest in the actual real life rugby.

WRU can pocket a ton of cash and put it with the hotel funds. Bet they will still shaft the other 3 teams

Yeah. WOL seem to take Cardiff’s continued survival as a given. I’m expecting Gwent to get utterly shafted with the expectation that we will just support the capital city. Nothing has been learnt from the history of the regions over the past two decades.

[newgalesurf]

If it is cut to 2, how about everyone turns up to watch Super Rygbi teams in numbers never seen before.

[Sandydragon]

If it is cut to 2, how about everyone turns up to watch Super Rygbi teams in numbers never seen before.

I can live with East and West. That’s fair. If there are any links to the existing regions then it’s further disenfranchisement.

And two pro teams is way too few. The short term bounce that it would hopefully create isn’t enough to sustain us long term. We have a model that has worked when properly funded. With the WRU turning over record takings, why can’t they fund the game better?

[newgalesurf]

Especially as there are investors in at least 2 of the regions (to one level or another) and future prospective buyers in one other.