More News on a Professional American League

[norcalbuff]

People tend to just support the closest professional team to them. For example, people in Sacramento are Kings fans for the NBA but there is no NFL or MLB team in Sacramento so everyone there cheers for the teams in San Francisco. Occasionally a franchise will call themselves by the state's name (Texas Rangers, California Angels in the past) in an attempt to pander, but it's not very common or necessary.

Speaking of Sacramento, any pro rugby competition in North America would be insane to ignore it. It's a top 20 TV market in North America (metro area 2.6 miliion) with virtually no competing sports, has a great age grade rugby scene and has produced probably more Eagles than any other city in the US.

 

[jkUNCAcap]

State vs. State wouldn't work because there are simply too many states. Ireland has 4 provinces, so the provincial system works there, but The United States has 50 states with 3000 miles separating one coast from the other, and Alaska and Hawai'i being even further away. The logistics would simply be too much for state vs. state. That being said, a professional league with 10 teams could definitely take off, I think, and I sincerely hope so, because I feel like one of the teams could definitely be based out of Charlotte, which is only a 2-hour drive for me. The area has plenty of money, serves as the hq for quite a few businesses, most high schools in the county have a rugby team, there are at least three or four adult clubs, and one of them is currently in the highest level of rugby competition in America.

On the marketing aspect, the TV networks are key. NBC Sports currently shows the Las Vegas 7's tourney, and the CRC 7's in the summer. I feel like they would be one of the first networks to pick up broadcasting rights, but if ESPN picked up some of the games, it would be huge. The amount of guys who simply leave the TV on ESPN all day is astronomical.

 

[Jayatron]

Still no more news on this. Tried to email the websites that carried the story but alas no response, but I'll try it again. Anyone else have news?

 

[lhprop1]

The biggest hurdle for an American professional league is ad revenue. Every sport they show on tv has a break every 5 or 10 minutes for commercials. Sports have even gone out of their way to create more breaks to acommodate more commercials (NFL-2 minute warning). A 7s tourney is great for tv because the halves are only 7 min and you get plenty of commericals. Only having commericals every 40 minutes during a 15's match wouldn't fly with the networks.

 

[LittleGuy]

Wasn't too sure where to post this but figured here would be a decent place, shows that Canadian rugby(and I know the US is doing this as well) are actively looking at potential crossover players from gridiron to rugby.

 

[lhprop1]

Former convict, I mean Ohio State star, Maurice Clarett is trying to get into 7s to make the Olympic side in 2016. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/201...y-sevens-olympics?CMP=twt_fd&CMP=SOCxx2I2

 

[LittleGuy]

Former convict, I mean Ohio State star, Maurice Clarett is trying to get into 7s to make the Olympic side in 2016. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/201...rugby-sevens-olympics?CMP=twt_fd&CMP=SOCxx2I2

Good to know he's still alive LOL. At least he didn't end up as big a train wreck as LT or Ryan Leaf.

 

[Canucks]

Wasn't too sure where to post this but figured here would be a decent place, shows that Canadian rugby(and I know the US is doing this as well) are actively looking at potential crossover players from gridiron to rugby.

Thanks Little Guy,

You have no idea how justified I feel right now. I believe I was quoting the above as a key recruitment strategy for Canada and USA. I also believe that I took quite a lot of stick for it. It's ok, I won't embarrass anyone by calling them, I know you all apologise.

In terms of a Professional league in North America - I believe that would be one tall order. While I think it would be easy to find players, television coverage and relevant infrastructure, I feel that North American rugby isn't read for this because of Canadian Infighting.

Any North American professional league needs to incorporate 4 Canadian teams for success: BC, Prairies, Ontario and Atlantic. Relations between these unions are icy at best.
BC doesn't even speak to Rugby Canada and are the epitome of an old boys club. Unfortunately, BC has the highest competitive league in North America and supplies a fair chunk of the national team. As well, without BC Rugby backing, Rugby Canada will have a hard time securing the lease of BC Place which is necessary for a successful sports franchise (sorry by Langford is in the boondocks and Swangard is not fit for purpose anymore.)
The Prairie, Ontario, and Atlantic Unions all have infighting that has already been highlighted in this thread.


In regards to Maurice Clarett - He's a legitimate talent and could have been an excellent player. It's a shame that he's such a flake and never even touched his potential in the NFL.

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/may/11/nfl-rugby-union-rugbylaw-barbarians-irish

Interdasting...

NFL co-operation in an (NFL) off season league always seemed to me to be the way forward.

 

[Jayatron]

Looks like something is going to happen over there very soon. This proposal seems a little more solid in terms on funding and backing, the NFL's weight would help any brand. It's all about producing the talent and hopefully the playing style that will attract fans, such as Glasgow did against Leinster in the semi-final.

Major problem however is the notable absence of Canadian involvement. But it's another step in the right direction - could be the awaking of the giant.

Another read from the guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/may/11/us-rugby-union-professional-league-nfl?CMP=twt_gu
Don't bother reading the comments or opinions at the bottom, it appears only complete retards read and comment on that site.

 

[Nielsch]

London Irish will take on a "New England Irish-themed US XV" or US Barbarians as the Guardian calls it in their articles on August 10, 2013 at the Gillette Stadium.

Maybe the Barbarians can call up Ronan O'Gara. He was - after all - born in the USA. Carlin Isles should be on that team as well. I know he's a Sevens player but he has gotten so much attention lately that he would be a huge draw.

 

[Nielsch]

I know that the NFL is backing this competition but isn't playing in NFL stadiums a bit too much? Why not play in the so called soccer specific stadiums?

 

[LittleGuy]

To be frank of all the ideas I've seen for a North American pro rugby competition, this one is by far the worst plan(other than the NFL backing). Only six teams all concentrated on the east coast, playing in massive venues, with no Canadian involvement and focusing mainly on cross code players. The "fast-tracking" is only going to end badly, sadly the other competition trying to get off the ground the APRC has much better ideas http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2013/01/pro-rugby-q-with-aprcs-jason-moore.html but won't have the financial backing this plan could have...

BCRugbyNews had a great point a few months ago talking about all the terrible plans that would come out of the woodwork approcahing 7's becoming an Olympic sport in 2016, we've seen some sketchy things come out of the woodwork already especially with the MTN Lions debacle this spring.

 

[ratsapprentice]

No doubt those are some pretty ridiculous and optimistic (insane) estimates on how long it will take to produce "world class elite" players.

But the fact is that the NFL has got the power to absolutely crush any attempts at professionalism, so the fact they aren't actively hostile is good.

 

[Jayatron]

To be frank of all the ideas I've seen for a North American pro rugby competition, this one is by far the worst plan(other than the NFL backing). Only six teams all concentrated on the east coast, playing in massive venues, with no Canadian involvement and focusing mainly on cross code players. The "fast-tracking" is only going to end badly, sadly the other competition trying to get off the ground the APRC has much better ideas http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2013/01/pro-rugby-q-with-aprcs-jason-moore.html but won't have the financial backing this plan could have...

BCRugbyNews had a great point a few months ago talking about all the terrible plans that would come out of the woodwork approcahing 7's becoming an Olympic sport in 2016, we've seen some sketchy things come out of the woodwork already especially with the MTN Lions debacle this spring.

Just to play devil's advocate here, perhaps this is the most realistic one though? The other proposal was based on backing from investors which could easily decide to have all their teams in the East, if they choose, or just happen to fall that way. Also, for the early years keeping the cost down, in respect to travelling, is perhaps the best approach. Also, if it does survive the league will surly expand quickly from 6 too whatever, surely. And NFL backing will surely propel the league into the American conscience, even if it is just that % it needs to survive at the beginning. But no Canadian involvement is a loss but I can only presume that they could expand into Canada.
In terms of recruitment they can not just rely on NFL drop outs to base whole teams on. They would need to bring in American rugby players. But the idea of taking these finely tuned athletes is simple, could work and as long as they are not favored over genuine North American talent.

Also does anyone know anything about professional rugby in Argentina?

No doubt those are some pretty ridiculous and optimistic (insane) estimates on how long it will take to produce "world class elite" players.

But the fact is that the NFL has got the power to absolutely crush any attempts at professionalism, so the fact they aren't actively hostile is good.

True that. Good point.

 

[LittleGuy]

Hoping for 30,000 for some pre-season London Irish game is ambitious to say the least.

The highest ever attendance for a match in the USA is 17,000 against Italy last year. Let's see if they can sell out the 22,000 stadium against Ireland first before talking about 30,000 attendances.

The game is scheduled only a week before the Canada vs. U.S.A. RWCQ's as well, is USA Rugby going to risk guys getting hurt in an exhibition ahead of a fairly crucial home and away set where they are probably already slight underdogs?

Edit: And totally agreed about the 30,000 figure, barring a massive give away of seats I just can't see it happening.

 

[Big Ewis]

thought-provoking stuff...
it's a shame to think of North American athlete-prospects as guys who would necessarily make the transition from some sport to Rugby...like, given the natural ability and build of some of those huge Americans/Canadians, one would really like those guys to be 100% Rugby trained from Day 1, like, at an early age. There's a transition, there's time "wasted", there are new skills of course to learn but more importantly *instincts*...if these guys could naturally pick up the oval at a young age, they'd get this second nature instilled into their subconscious about the sport, where to look, how to react...the reflexes so to speak.

I'm an NBA fan first, and a Lebron fanboy. Knowing the game of Rugby (very poorly), I would love to see and KNOW Lebron would excel at Rugby. His physical strength, build, and natural ability (speed, hops etc...) added to his skillset, he would make a BEAST center, a monster at midfield...
(i.e.: would break through tackles, be ultra-quick with offloads, put on his turbo and be like Fofana, and would be a one-of-a-kind playmaker. And an excellent defender given his instincts/ability on D in basketball...)

 

[ratsapprentice]

I'm an NBA fan first, and a Lebron fanboy. Knowing the game of Rugby (very poorly), I would love to see and KNOW Lebron would excel at Rugby. His physical strength, build, and natural ability (speed, hops etc...) added to his skillset, he would make a BEAST center, a monster at midfield...
(i.e.: would break through tackles, be ultra-quick with offloads, put on his turbo and be like Fofana, and would be a one-of-a-kind playmaker. And an excellent defender given his instincts/ability on D in basketball...)

Except that, in actual fact, a lot of very talented athletes simply don't care for being hurt in the way that contact sports do.

I'm sure for every 10 people that have the talent to box very well, 5 just don't like being hit in the face.

 

[norcalbuff]

Except that, in actual fact, a lot of very talented athletes simply don't care for being hurt in the way that contact sports do.

I'm sure for every 10 people that have the talent to box very well, 5 just don't like being hit in the face.

It's just a matter of what you grow up with. Basketball players in the US all grow up playing American football too and very few specialize in basketball over football because of football being a contact sport. Most just choose what they are best at.

 

[Big Ewis]

^ right. It just happens, growing up you don't go to some counseling center where you study the pros and cons of a sport, have a look at statistics, sign a contract and then play that sport your whole life. You discover your love as you're exposed to it. I immediately picked up basketball even though at the school here we also played soccer, volleyball, handball...etc...
My *taste* makes me able to enjoy Rugby at a high level of excitement...but we are obviously, merely influenced by our surroundings...guys in America WILL play all those sports (NFL, baseball, hockey etc...) because everything is there for it. Fanbase, material and infrastructure, sports coverage on TV...

Rugby, as any sport, needs to be BROADCASTED somehow, *shown* to the American public, they won't get bored with the NFL magically one day...and right now, there's no reason for that to happen.