So it’s been a while since I last posted anything. Life’s been unbelievably busy this year but I have a gap so have decided to jump back into the swings of things by introducing you to Major League Rugby.
So, some may recall the advent of PRO Rugby in late 2015 and inaugural (and only) season in 2016. Well, that’s go the way of the dodo. A failed experiment that lacked the necessary parts to become a sustainable model. An apparent step forward before two back.
But from its failure, rises a new player. One that’s been working away to bring its own brand to market since later 2015 itself.
That player is Major League Rugby.
Formed by a number of private interests linked to in some cases existing clubs and run as its own separate league organisation established to administer the league’s operation.
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Major League Rugby is looking to take the next step. Establishing a sustainable professional rugby (union) league that allows local players and fans alike to enjoy the great game of rugby at a level never before seen at the domestic level in the United States.
The inaugural season will feature seven teams. The Houston SabreCats, the Utah Warriors, the Seattle Seawolves, the San Diego Legion, the Glendale Raptors, the New Orleans Gold and Austin Elite Rugby.
These form seven of the nine foundation organisations within the league. The other two, the Kansas City Blues and the Chicago Lions, have both opted to enter in its second season in 2019.
So what’s the overall difference? Well, the first is money. In order to compete each team is required to be able to provide a $2m bond for the first season. Alongside that, they need to able to demonstrate the ability to meet these obligations for at least three seasons to come.
Finally, they all need to be able to build their own stadium facilities. The minimum first season capacity being 4-5k but with Houston, Austin, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans and all with plans to develop 10k seater stadiums. The Warriors have secured primary tenancy at a brand new stadium being built for Real Salt Lake Academy (Major League Soccer) in Salt Lake.
Planning is so advanced that most of the clubs are well into their preseasons preparations and have scheduled games starting in January with the inaugural 13 week season kicking off in April of next year.
But there’s more. Both Kansas City and Chicago won’t be the only teams entering in 2019. In all likelihood there will be another three to join them. At the very least. Rugby Club New York, the Ontario Arrows and potentially a Boston group are all on the books.
With Boston Rugby Club recently announcing the development of their purpose built $25m facility with a 5k seater stadium and with access to another new 15k stadium being built just down the road.
But there’s more. There’s serious talk about a Vancouver group looking at bringing a MLR team to the city in 2019 and there exists a group keen to bring professional Rugby back to the city.
It’s all quite exciting.
However, the most interesting tidbit is this last one. They have a TV deal. A real one. Earlier this week the League signed a two year multi-platform broadcast deal with CBS Sports.
As part of this deal the league will have 13 games broadcast in the first season including ten ‘game of the round’, two semi-finals and the Championship game. These games will feature on CBS Sports TV channel, via their channels on several major streaming services including Hulu, and on the CBS Sports app.
As the league grows. So will the number of games. With a reach of 57m homes (in terms of TV) it provides a solid launching pad for the league.
Additionally, the league will also be developing its own streaming platform for all the other games as well as regional TV deals similar to of Austins deal with Spectrum Sports.
It really is interesting times in the US. With the collapse of Pro Rugby many would have been justified in thinking that was the end, but instead all it did was spark those with the means and ambition to get on board and make things happen.
Kiwi in US
Guest
Great read. I hope this one sticks. Your comment about the emphasis on youth participation and growth will be rewarded. I have been here 20 years and so many more people are aware of rugby in some respect. In general terms some parents see it as a safer sport than american football, and rugby did not have some of the image issues NFL was having a few years ago. Let alone the issues within NFL now, it seems rugby will continue to pick up youth. I know folks who have kids that will probably play junior rugby and then transition into american football and then go back to rugby. I guess Glendale will be my team.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Regarding any potential Boston bid. The facility in which they are developing has had a application amendment. They are now going to be building a 15k seated stadium.
Jcr
Guest
They’ve certainly climbed into the 7s already.
piru
Roar Rookie
This is both good news and a little bit worrying. If Americans get behind rugby the way they do their other major league sports we may have a new major player in a few short years.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
And they have in San Diego's case. All their official social media switched from the Breakers to Legion hours after the TV deal was announced.
Will
Guest
If I recall correctly, ALL the PRO rugby teams are owned by Douglas Schoninger and the last I heard from him he was continuing his denial that PRO rugby has fallen apart. He became very irrational towards the end so I doubt he will let any of his teams enter a rival competition. Considering the teams are only a few months old I doubt it matters much. The fans of the teams themselves could easily switch to the new teams.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Houston are the only ones so far.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
The PRO clubs were all owned by PRO itself. So they won't be joining. At least not in those guises. Glendale is essentially Denver from PRO (they have their own stadium). San Diego as well. It very likely that 4 of the 5 PRO will have a MLR team within the next three years.
JT
Guest
So what happening to the PRO rugby teams? Cause some of them have their own stadiums and infrastructure etc, so will they look to join this comp in the future?
In Brief
Guest
It is working class in Australia, just go down to a local club and see how plays, particularly at the lower levels (subbies in Sydney for example) and in the country. The issue is at there are more elite pathways for players from private schools which creates a perception.
In Brief
Guest
I love the hubris with which you say "League, despite being a easier game to follow and a better TV sport", with all due respect what a load of rot. Your comment is also insinuates that rugby union is a rich snobs sport while league is a working man's game. Nice cliche.
ethan
Guest
Always interesting to hear whats happening in the wild west. Thanks for the update!
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
It's only the second one to actually be confirmed. If you're referring to the PRP and ARP. Neither of them were/are professional leagues. The rugby Super League wasn't either.
Last Straw
Guest
I was going to say rugby league, but in fact, as the players demonstrate time after time, it has no class at all.
tc
Guest
Good read WCR. I have read that the Houston Sabercats are playing a pre season game against the Uruguayan national team, do you know if any of the other MRL teams are playing other national teams.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
You may also be referring to the National Rugby Football League and the 'other' MLR. THE NFRL have been trying to launch for four years but cannot find the investors. They want to play out of NFL stadiums and such. Thither MLR is just an attempt at trademarking the name. Which failed. Again I'll ask about if there are others.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
USA Rugby aren't involved in this effort though unofficially are supportive of it. They still have sanctioning issues with PRO so they cannot publicly support or sanction the league just yet. As for the other two groups. I know there is United World Sports who have been working on launching their Super 7s Rugby League concept for a couple of years now. Think 7s but played over four 12 minute quarters with unlimited interchange. Not sure who the other one could be if I'm even right about UWS to begin with. I know there has been the Grand Prix concept banging about for several years but I cannot see that happening anytime soon. You've got me interested. I might do some asking about with some more informed blokes.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
The TV deal is a significant thing just for the League at present. The ability to provide accessibility is huge in itself.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
If it ever were to become a major sport. It won't happen for a while. Definitely not within 10 years. Perhaps 20. The MLS is a prime example of how long it takes. This is a league with money and facilities but still struggles to assume its place among the big players in US sports. Now, I think MLR can hasten their development by learning directly from the MLS (in fact a number of the MLR head office have direct MLS experience including the League's commissioner who got Real Salt Lake up and running) which should shorten that progression. But its all still very unknown. However, the early signs are encouraging in regards to interest particularly from groups wanting in. I don't mention it in the article but there are other groups watching with interest and setting goals toward 2020/21.
Fionn
Guest
Yeah, I reckon you're right on both accounts. it is getting fairly common for halfway decent young Aussie rugby players to go play college rugby in the US. Although if it ever became a major sport in the US it seems hard to imagine that any other country on earth would be able to compete with them given their population size and the amount of money there!