Lam stays optimistic despite £14m losses

PAT Lam is confident Premiership clubs are heading towards sustainability despite three of them posting losses of nearly £14m between them in the last few weeks.

- PAUL REES

Bristol lost £5m before tax, Exeter £4.5m, and Sale £4.37m with the figures reflecting the slump in attendances after the Covid lockdown restrictions ended with many fans staying home because of health concerns, as well as the impact of inflation. Three Premiership clubs collapsed last season because of debt.

The pandemic showed clubs that they needed to attract younger supporters and since then various changes have been made, not least giving broadcasters greater access on match days.

“Covid affected all businesses,” said Lam, Bristol’s director of rugby. “Everyone is playing catch-up, but what we do know in the Premiership is that we have a great product.

“Costs have gone up across the board but we are attracting more people to games. They are the ones who keep it alive and we need to give them the best experience we can.