Dragons: 'We want to control our own destiny' - chairman Buttress
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Chairman David Buttress wants Dragons to return to private ownership and says talks are "ongoing" to achieve that aim.
Buttress became chairman after the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) took over the Welsh region in July, 2017.
Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets are privately owned, the WRU having stepped in at the Dragons after a long period of poor league finishes.
"We want to be able to control our own destiny," Buttress told S4C.
"With the model of professional rugby in Wales that we've agreed now, I think it's right that we are in private ownership, the same as the other regions.
"Those discussions are ongoing.
"Obviously it's a massive decision for me and my family, but hopefully we can work that out in the coming weeks and months."
After beating Scarlets in the first Pro14 festive derby of the season, Dragons are in the rare position of being above Ospreys in Pro14 Conference A with three wins from eight rounds.
Ospreys have won just once in the competition so far and they go to Scarlets on Boxing Day looking to upset the odds.
Dragons, meanwhile, are at Cardiff Blues on the same day.
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"Attendances at the English and French league games dwarf those in Wales"
You are wrong. Crowds in England and France are larger than Wales but they don't dwarf them. Saracens sell out at 10,000. Recently Racing's average was under 9000. Clearly we need to improve the region's support but they are hardly dwarfed. Get your facts right
Have big respect for Dean Ryan,nice to see the region improving.Having said that I want to see all regions doing well.
None of the regions are going to have major long term success whilst the crowd sizes are still poor
The derbies bring a good crowd but other matches can barely get 50% attendance
We need to attract more fans to generate more revenue o we can keep better players which will lead to more success on and of the field
I am an Ospreys fan and watched them at the Gnoll recently against the Cheetas. The official attendance was 2.500 but I think the actual attendance was well below that. There wasn't even a queue at the clubhouse bar after the game!
Most of the games are no longer on terrestrial TV and the attendances are still terrible.
“Wales overachievers always have been”
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As a nation, given the smaller population and higher levels of poverty, Wales continually punches well above its weight in many sports on the world stage.
Directing that success back to grassroots level — local and regional — is a continuing challenge.
Season ticket holders such as myself will go to the games regardless but the regions will not get business from more casual fans whilst the prices are so high
It would be better to lower prices and fill the stadiums
The more people who are there the more they are likely to purchase merchandise or even become season ticket holders themselves and spend every game
Attendances at the English and French league games dwarf those in Wales.
TV revenue deals for the English and French leagues are much larger than the Pro 14 deal.
Where is the logic in this? Does he have zillions to pour in?
If you build it, they will come
an amazingly talented bunch of players over the years! So here's to over achieving for years to come! May talent over money prevail! cymru!