Ospreys chief pens statement to fans with fresh twist

Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley has confirmed that the club’s owners, Y11 Sport & Media, have been confirmed as the preferred bidder for Cardiff Rugby following “leaked news”.

Bradley released the statement on Thursday following “a few days of increased uncertainty” as he waited for various agreements.

While this appears to confirm what many fans of Cardiff, the Ospreys and Welsh rugby as a whole feared, Bradley emphasised that the Ospreys “will continue to play in the URC and EPCR competitions until at least the end of the 26/27 season.”

While Y11 are poised to own both clubs, they will continue to operate as two separate teams for the next season-and-a-half.

Bradley confirmed that he will provide a “full update on what the overall plan will be” once the deal is complete.

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The statement reads: “Firstly, I want to apologise to you all about not being able to communicate with you earlier, following the leaked news this week that Y11 have been selected by the WRU as their preferred bidder for Cardiff Rugby. The discussions between Y11 and the WRU are commercially confidential, so could not be discussed until certain agreements were in place. I hope you can understand that.

“I recognise, however, that this has resulted in a few days of increased uncertainty, and that this has left many of you wondering what’s happening with your club. I’m now sharing with you as much information as I can about the situation.

“The WRU has today confirmed its intention to sell Cardiff Rugby to Y11. Being announced as the preferred bidder means that both parties now enter into an exclusivity period to finalise the transaction. Whether a deal is concluded or not, however, Y11 will continue to own and operate Ospreys. If a deal for Cardiff is finalised, this would see Y11 owning and operating both Ospreys and Cardiff, with both regions continuing to play as separate teams.

“Crucially, I want to make clear that the Ospreys will continue to play in the URC and EPCR competitions until at least the end of the 26/27 season.

“Here at Ospreys we are fully focused on the remainder of this season, and we’re making the usual preparations for next season.

“In the event that Y11 conclude a deal for Cardiff Rugby I will give you a full update on what the overall plan will be. The exclusivity period is no more than 60 days, after which the transaction would be confirmed and the final details communicated to you.

“I am in constant communication with our owners. Insofar as we can control it, I can assure you that updates about any longer term plans for Ospreys Rugby will first be heard by Ospreys players, staff and their families. In the mean time I would ask that you fully get behind our boys, starting with this weekend’s game against Lions. Your support has always made a big difference, and now more than ever we’d really appreciate it.”