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Rugby United New York have new majority owners. The team has confirmed that New Zealand-based private investment firm Bolton Equities has purchased all of co-founder James Kennedy’s shares held by Farneigh Group. Former CEO Pierre Arnald retains a 10% share of the team.
Kennedy is the founder and CEO of Murphy Kennedy Group (MKG). The charismatic Irishman has been a prominent public figure for RUNY since their inception and also played a significant role in the creation of Major League Rugby at the board level. In selling his shares he has also stepped down from the MLR Board of Directors.
Guy Bolton is the RUNY Chairman and will take Kennedy’s place on the MLR Board. Former New Zealand television producer Ric Salizzo was hired as CEO last April, with two-time USA Rugby Coach of the Year Stephen Lewis taking over as Director of Rugby, a role he previously filled for the now-defunct PRO Rugby.
Bolton Equities purchased an equal share in RUNY a year ago after the group was required to sell their stake in the Blues, Auckland’s Super Rugby franchise. Salizzo was also a board member at the Blues, and served as Public Relations Manager for the All Blacks from 1992-1995.
