The Hurricanes have today announced new investors Y11 Sport & Media and Richard Mansell to complete the private investment component of the Super Rugby franchise.
Y11 Sport & Media have acquired a 25% stake investment in the Hurricanes, whilst Richard Mansell, Director of Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Football Union and CEO of Coastlands Mall, has secured 12.50%.
Y11 Sport & Media, a global investment group specialising in sport, made its first investment in highly successful regional franchise the Ospreys, based in Wales, in 2020. The investment in the Hurricanes further emphasises Y11’s commitment to professional club rugby, with the Hurricanes being its first investment in Southern Hemisphere rugby.
As well as a minority ownership, Y11 will develop the Hurricanes IP globally, focussing on the franchise’s global commercial rights outside of New Zealand and Australia.
Hurricanes Chairman Iain Potter welcomed Y11 Sport & Media and Richard Mansell to the Club. “We are thrilled to welcome Y11 Sport & Media and Richard Mansell to the Club as shareholders. Their addition means we now have a full roster of shareholders.”
“Y11 are a great fit as they share our ambitions and vision, bringing international understanding, expertise and resources that will help propel our Club into an exciting new era. We’re thrilled by the opportunities this partnership will bring.”
“Richard Mansell brings strong business experience and perspectives, and a real passion for rugby which will benefit us greatly,” said Potter.
Y11 Chairman & CEO James Davies-Yandle said: “We are very excited and proud with this strategic investment. The Hurricanes is a massive brand, and we want to further maximise the franchise on a global scale through our management of their global commercial rights.”
“Professional club rugby has so much potential, especially with investment coming in at the top of the game through the leagues and the governing bodies and we have positioned ourselves to invest in the clubs that compete in those leagues and tournaments, where the governing bodies want to build best operating practices and competition, as it’s the platform for talent to succeed at international level. Our investments in rugby to date compliment this strategy.”
Kāpiti resident and long-time Hurricanes fan Richard Mansell says his investment was for personal enjoyment and interest.
“It reinforces a long-term commitment I have to the Hurricanes and honours the many matches I was able to attend with my late father.”
Between 1996 and 2012, the five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises were solely owned by NZR and were run by boards formed by representatives from the provincial unions in each franchise’s catchment.
However, a review in 2012 paved the way for private investment, which saw the Hurricanes franchise purchased by Hurricanes' Investment Ltd Partnership, an entity led by Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU) and supported by private investors Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Football Union, Cohiba Traders Limited (Director, Sir Paul Collins), Y11 Sport & Media and Richard Mansell.