Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
In the wake of the disappointing performance from the USA at the Rugby World Cup, multiple sources have confirmed with Americas Rugby News that there could be an announcement from USA Rugby/RIM by the end of the month regarding the creation of a professional competition. USAR/RIM having obviously learned some lessons from other groups, has reportedly been waiting until every last detail is finalized and contracts signed before making the announcement public.
Pro rugby in the USA has been at the top of the conversation board for well over a decade as the USA has struggled to gain ground on their professional counterparts. There have been multiple aborted attempts, false starts, and flat out mistakes along the rocky road to professional rugby in the USA. Fans have traditionally been the ones to suffer under the cloud of promise and potential. However, it is really the players that have felt the greatest pain as they continue to hold onto hope of a professional competition in the USA as playing opportunities overseas are difficult to come by.
The long-rumored US initiative, appears to be targeting a kickoff of Spring 2017, but sources have stated that Spring of 2016 is still a possibility. There are rumored to be 5-6 teams in the competition with one possibly coming from Canada. The key investor in the project appears to be New York based Doug Schoninger of Stadium Capital Financing Group. NBC is also rumored to be involved in some fashion and it is expected that the upcoming USA Rugby TV Channel will also play a large role in the broadcast of the competition.
As there have not been any official announcements, all details, even though cleared through reliable sources, are speculative or rumor at this point. Americas Rugby News will have a complete rundown, analysis, and coverage when the announcement is officially made.
