The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed this afternoon that Y11 Sport & Media, the preferred chosen bidder in January, had taken off the table its offer for the Arms Park club.
Ospreys, along with Scarlets, have been invited to sign a new Professional Rugby Agreement that Cardiff and Dragons are already on, with the WRU claiming the former are close to a deal.
That deal runs to 2030, but the WRU has the option to serve a two-year notice period and intends to press on with their plan to cut from four professional clubs to three. Nonetheless, Jones is relieved that his club is at least able to plan to 2028.
“It’s positive news for Welsh rugby in general, not just the Ospreys,” said Jones in his pre-match conference.
“With limited information at the moment, the outlook is certainly looking a lot more positive over the next couple of seasons.
“If everything is signed off then we get some security around all areas of the agreement for another season on top of next year.
“That definitely helps around staffing, player recruitment, retention and general morale. It’s a big help for everybody.”
Ospreys, who will move to St Helen’s in Swansea next season after playing at Bridgend’s Brewery Field in 2025-26, have had to perform amid uncertainty throughout the campaign.
But Jones, who has kept his squad informed about the impending developments around Y11’s Cardiff takeover, was able to deliver confirmation at training today.
“Sometimes, other staff members and I have had to deliver not-so-positive news, and you are always worried about how it’s going to affect the group,” continued Jones.
“This certainly seems to have affected the group in a positive way if you look at how the training session went in terms of the body language. They look like they’re in a good place off the back of it.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
