The Lions took on the Highlanders as part of their New Zealand tour last year. Photo ODTA $40 million windfall from last year's British and Irish Lions tour helped New Zealand Rugby to a record profit in the 2016-17 financial year, the ruling body said today. The $33.4 million profit came despite an unprecedented investment of $224 million in rugby in the homeland of the world champion All Blacks, who drew a thrilling test series with the Lions 1-1 last June and July. "The Lions Series generated massive interest both here in New Zealand and globally and that’s reflected in the numbers, but it needs to be put in the context of being a one-in-twelve-year event," NZR chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement. The Lions also had wider benefits to the rugby-mad country with a New Zealand government report putting the value of the tour to the Gross Domestic Product at $245 million.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 01, 2018 02:03 UTC