Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
A landmark partnership between Major League Rugby expansion side Old Glory DC and the Scottish Rugby Union has been confirmed. While full details have not been disclosed, the deal has seen the SRU purchase a minority stake – reportedly close to 30% – in the club with Chief Operating Officer Dominic McKay taking a place on the Old Glory board of directors.
Also set to be included in the deal are coaching and operational resources, with some SRU senior academy players expected to join the club ahead of next season. It’s the first such agreement between a national union and an MLR club.
In a formal release from the union, McKay explained the strategic decision.
“This is a very exciting moment for both Scottish Rugby and our new partners, Old Glory DC. We have been working with the team behind this new franchise for some time, and I’m delighted we are now in a position to announce our association and support their arrival next season into the MLR.
“The US market has long been a strategic target for us and the potential and passion for rugby will undoubtedly grow in the years to come. It is important we are creative and develop opportunities beyond our own borders and we are very much looking forward to growing our relationship with the team in Washington.”
The announcement has received some criticism within Scotland as the SRU are set to launch their new semi-professional league, the Super 6, later this year with limited funding. Others have hailed the move, citing Scotland’s two professional teams as inadequate to provide opportunities for young players.
Old Glory are set to kick off their official foray into MLR in the 2020 season and have to date signed three players with exhibition play to begin in May. They will be one of three teams joining the league next season along with Boston (New England Free Jacks) and Atlanta (Rugby ATL). A group in Dallas, Texas, is the 13th ‘full member’ referred to by league commissioner Dean Howes in a recent interview, but a team there has yet to be confirmed for 2020 or potentially 2021.
