TNT Sports Rejects Breakaway R360 Rugby League Plans as Unsustainable

The proposed R360 breakaway rugby league, led by Mike Tindall and aiming to launch a global franchise competition with 12 teams, has been widely criticized as 'delusional' and commercially unsustainable by TNT Sports and Premiership Rugby officials. Andrew Georgiou, president and managing director of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, which owns TNT Sports, questioned the financial viability of the league, emphasizing that no formal presentation or details about the format or schedule have been shared with broadcasters. Premiership Rugby executives have dismissed R360's threat, highlighting their recent growth in fan base, television audiences, and sold-out matches, along with a new broadcasting deal extending to 2031. TNT Sports has explicitly stated they will not broadcast the new competition, reinforcing their confidence in the existing rugby ecosystem and expressing concern that R360 would complicate a well-functioning system. While R360 promises significant salary increases and a condensed season to attract the best players, the league faces skepticism about how it will generate sustainable revenue amidst a rapidly changing media landscape. Overall, the established rugby bodies remain united in defending their product and declining engagement with the breakaway league's plans.