ARU boss Bill Pulver says the Brumbies have enough money to pay out CEO Michael Jones’ contract

THE Brumbies have enough money to pay out the contract of chief executive Michael Jones if necessary, according to ARU boss Bill Pulver.

Bernard Foley

THE Brumbies have enough money to pay out the contract of chief executive Michael Jones if necessary, according to ARU boss Bill Pulver.

The Australian Rugby Union chief executive on Wednesday night distanced his governing body from speculation it may have to bankroll a Brumbies’ financial settlement with Jones, whose future at the club hangs in the balance.

Jones was stood down by the Brumbies board on Monday following a fiery radio interview, but he won a temporary injunction against the move a day later. He will remain as Brumbies CEO until next week, at least, when the parties return to court in Canberra.

Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver.

Jones said on radio the Brumbies could fold if he fought back publicly against rumour-mongers trying to bring him down, but Pulver reiterated that would not happen by pledging full financial backing to the ACT franchise.

“The Brumbies are in solid financial shape. Were there to be any issues down in Canberra at all, we would obviously do everything we could to help out. The Brumbies are a great football team, they’re performing well this year and are in good shape for the future,” Pulver told FoxSports on Wednesday night.

“The Brumbies are a very important part of the Australian rugby landscape and they’ll be there for a long, long time to come and we will do what we have to do to support them.”

Given the Brumbies have been treading a financial tightrope for the best part of a decade, however, there have been question marks about their capacity to pay out Jones’ contract, which ends next year.

That then raised the further question as to whether the ARU would have to be forced to bail the Brumbies out if they went broke resolving the Jones matter.

But asked on FoxSports if the Brumbies have the capacity to afford a pay out, Pulver said: “Yes they do. Obviously your financial year depends on a few unknowns, the size of your gate that you get to your games, and sponsorships but the Brumbies financials as we have seen them look solid.”

Brumbies CEO Michael Jones.

Pulver said while the ARU was dealing with “a few spotfires” in the administration of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises, it was a cyclical nature of business.

“Senior executives in administrations come and go. The really important thing is what happens on the paddock,” he said.

“I give great to Stephen Larkham and the team. They’re playing superbly. I think they were a little unlucky in South Africa. I think they’re going to have a great win this weekend in South Africa and they’re right up there with a real chance to win the competition.”

Originally published as ARU boss Bill Pulver says the Brumbies have enough money to pay out CEO Michael Jones’ contract