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The Colorado Raptors are dropping out of Major League Rugby. Multiple sources confirmed the news earlier this week and on Wednesday a brief letter – attached below – was circulated by co-owner and Mayor of Glendale Mike Dunafon stating that the team will be officially departing the league effective May 2, 2020. The Raptors are the first team in MLR history to withdraw.
Rumors began circulating late last year that an unnamed team would be pulling out, with prominent American rugby writer Pat Clifton reporting that an announcement was imminent. It was revealed that the Raptors were indeed the team in question but the threats of departure seemed to have subsided as they instead re-branded and took full part in the truncated 2020 season.
As it turns out the ‘about-face’ was only a stay of execution. The team informed the league of their intention to leave early in the season, prior to the COVID-19 crisis. A potential buy-out to keep the Colorado franchise in MLR could not be agreed and the Raptors will instead continue to operate albeit outside the league. In what capacity remains to be seen.
It’s a disappointing exit for one of the league’s founding members, a club that has competed at the highest levels of American rugby for more than a decade. They were finalists in the inaugural 2018 season and looked to be rebounding from a difficult 2019 season at the point of suspension.
For their part, the team claims that they wish to concentrate on ‘the development of American players who can go on to win the World Cup’. There have been suggestions of an alternative league but it’s not immediately clear how that will be accomplished given the overwhelming majority of high level domestic American talent currently resides in MLR.
The Raptors management were said to be unhappy with the rising cost of business and the league’s appraisal of the salary cap. It should be noted, however, that the team brought in considerable overseas talent in the off-season including the signing of two high profile recruits in Rene Ranger and Digby Ioane, though the latter ultimately did not take part in the season.
Caught in the crossfire are the Colorado players who are contracted to the league itself. Those who choose to stay in MLR could be moved to other teams but more likely will find themselves part of a dispersal draft to help populate the two arriving expansion teams – Dallas and Los Angeles. Both franchises remain on track for the 2021 season.
What now happens to the 14th spot is unknown. The team as it exists will not be relocated. While there are no shortage of suitors for potential expansion franchises down the road, there is a rapidly shrinking window of time to build an entirely new entity for the start of the 2021 campaign.
The league itself is in a strong financial position as a significant amount budgeted to cover production costs for the 2020 season will now be directed towards 2021. MLR can afford to proceed with only 13 teams with the vacancy simply pushed to future expansion. For those ambitious enough to jump the queue, however, a door appears to have opened.
