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Mexico’s Rugby Federation (FMRU) has confirmed reports that they are targeting a Major League Rugby franchise in Monterrey. A statement released on Tuesday evening indicates they are also pursuing a Super Rugby Americas Franchise, though a timetable was not presented for either project.
Last week it emerged that a group called Rugby Ventures Mexico (RVM) has signed an agreement with the Nuevo León Institute for Physical Education and Sports (INDE) to use their new stadium, yet to be constructed, for professional rugby. Specifically the proposal was for a Major League Rugby side to be based at the Monterrey facility.
The FMRU says that it met with the founders of RVM at the end of 2021 to develop a plan to bring professional rugby to Mexico. Those founders include CEO Jeremy Turner, a co-founder of the Houston SaberCats, and two former Mexican internationals who the FMRU says “have built successful careers in media, marketing, and investments.”
An analysis of five markets concluded that Monterrey was the ideal place to put the MLR side, and initial fundraising effort yielded $1 million USD. In addition to the stadium agreement, a strategic alliance has been made with a local media group.
While these are all steps in the right direction, the FMRU acknowledges that the greatest challenge lies in raising the far more substantial amount of capital required to field a competitive MLR side. Recent estimates have put the franchise fee in the ballpark of $10 million USD.
At the end of the statement, the FMRU says that at the same time as RVM works towards the North American competition, the Federation is also engaged in a project to develop a team the South American-driven Super Rugby Americas. Rather than debating which competition is most suitable for Mexico, it appears the FMRU is prepared to commit to both of them.
The statement in its entirety, written in Spanish, can be seen below.
