 The two organizations combined operations, with Rob Clarke becoming CEO for both organizations, and Ross Oakley OAM stepping away from his role as VRU CEO.The Rebels proved to be a financial drain on the Australian Rugby Union; the franchise was responsible for more than half of the ARU's deficit of A$6.3 million in fiscal 2014.In June 2015, the ARU announced that the Rebels had been purchased by locally based Imperium Sports Management.