British and Irish Lions: The eye-watering amount players will receive win or lose in Australia
British and Irish Lions: The eye-watering/SIX-FIGURE amount players will receive win or lose in Australia
Each member of the British and Irish Lions playing squad is expected to make an eye-watering amount of money during this year’s tour of Australia thanks to a new ‘profit sharing’ agreement.
This will see the squad members be rewarded with a percentage of the commercial investment – as opposed to the traditional tour fee.
Pushed forward with the help of Jamie George, Peter O’Mahony, Finn Russell and Jac Morgan, the lucrative deal will essentially put players on commission, with each player expected to earn roughly £100,000 each, regardless of whether they play or not.
To put this into perspective, the last tour that was unaffected by Covid regulations was in 2017, when the players received £80,000 each. The upcoming tour is expected to generate well in excess of £10 million in profits, an expected 25% increase in both tour profits and funds paid to the players compared to 2017.
“This agreement recognises the role players play across the Lions tour, both on and off the field,” said O’Mahony when the deal was announced in October of last year.
“It’s great to see a commitment to ensuring everyone benefits from the success of each tour.”
The estimated improved profits is due to an agreement between the Lions and Rugby Australia, which includes a centralised package for broadcasters, sponsors, and licensees, This has, in turn, led to more financially efficient sponsorship deals.
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Brian O’Driscoll speaks to Planet Rugby outside Howdens 44ft Lions mural
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll spoke to Planet Rugby on Thursday afternoon in front of the 44ft Howdens Lions mural in London. The 46-year-old reflected on the 2025 British and Irish Lions squad announcement that had taken place earlier that day in front of a live audience at the O2 Arena.
Working on behalf of Howdens, the official jersey sponsor for the 2025 tour of Australia, the former Ireland captain and four-time Lions tourist appeared alongside former Scotland great, Gavin Hastings and Wales legend Jamie Roberts as they unveiled a hand-painted tribute to the newly named 2025 squad.
O’Driscoll’s thoughts on Andy Farrell’s squad selection
“I don’t think there were any real shocks in truth,” said O’Driscoll. “I think it looks like a great squad, and of course there’s a few 50/50 calls where people will be elated and some people will be devastated, but you get that on every tour.
“There’s a nice balance of experience and some useful enthusiasm, with the Fin Smiths and the Pollocks coming through and first-timers Garry Ringrose and James Ryan finding a way in where they’ve missed out on previous tours, so lots to like.
“But you always feel for some guys that miss out like Jamie George and Darcy Graham. You think George Ford, almost a Test centurion, and never getting to play for the Lions.”
On those selected for the side, O’Driscoll said: “They’re the ones that have been chosen to peak at the right time in a four-year cycle, so to be the best or second best in your position in Britain and Ireland is no small achievement.”
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