RFU Faces Leadership Crisis Over Executive Bonuses and Record Losses

Revelations of £1.1m pay for CEO Bill Sweeney and £1.3m in bonuses to executives have led to widespread backlash across English rugby.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is under fire after its CEO Bill Sweeney received £1.1 million in salary and bonuses, with five other executives sharing £1.3 million in additional payouts during a year of record £37.9 million losses.
The bonus payments, part of a long-term incentive plan introduced in 2021, were justified by RFU leadership as compensation for voluntary pandemic-era pay cuts, but critics argue the payouts far exceeded the original reductions.
The RFU has recently faced significant financial challenges, including redundancies for 42 staff members, the collapse of multiple professional clubs, and declining grassroots participation in rugby.
Calls for the resignation of Sweeney, RFU chair Tom Ilube, and president Rob Udwin have grown, with grassroots clubs and former RFU leaders questioning the organization's governance and financial priorities.
Morale among RFU staff has reportedly hit 'rock bottom,' with many expressing frustration over leadership decisions, including the cancellation of the staff Christmas party while executive bonuses were distributed.