USA Rugby backed professional league to be announced soon...

[sonnench]

http://m.sarugbymag.co.za/?postslug=/blog/details/Pedrie-set-for-American-stint

Also all over his Twitter account.

Great pickup in that case. Will be fascinating to see who else join up. Maybe bit of a Masters Champions league approach with ex Internationals signing on.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Sacramento team signs Mirco Bergamasco

 

[Yankee_Doodle]

I have a topic going for this that I made later but my OP has more information. What is good etiquette/protocol in this situation? Can we merge the topics somehow? Is it ok to link to my topic?

http://www.therugbyforum.com/thread...d-kickoff-April-2016)?highlight=north+america

 

[brendenmcmillan]

Has there been any hints as to where the expansion of this league will be looking at for next season. Curious as to how quickly they'll try and grow it

 

[Mackem Falcon]

No franchises in New York, Chicago, Boston or Texas?

 

[bayarearugbyfan]

No franchises in New York, Chicago, Boston or Texas?

Probably couldn't work anything out. Remember they announced 6 franchises but only went with 5.

 

[SelimNiai]

No franchises in New York, Chicago, Boston or Texas?

If this works expect expasion to include the bigger markets. If they want to have it that is

 

[Bee]

Didn't they say, they first want to expand to Canada ?

 

[bayarearugbyfan]

They do, but I'm willing to bet they will expand here as well.

 

[funksoulbrother]

Heres a video report from the historic opening weekend games

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.aol.com/article/2016/04/22/pro-rugby-week-2-watch-sacramento-vs-san-diego-live/21349339/

Sacramento vs San Diego stream.

Pretty cool! Seems like Nat1/Championship level stuff - nice and fast, good endeavour to play even if skills sometimes don't allow it.

All in all this venture seems very promising - both on and off the field.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Pro rugby franchise names shortlist out
Ohio
1) Flight
2) Presidents
3) Aviators

San Diego
1) Admirals
2) Destroyers
3) Breakers

Sacramento
1) Steamers
2) Express
3) Pioneers

Denver
1) Peak
2) Vipers
3) Stampede

San Francisco
1) Miners
2) Rush
3) Fury

My favourites are in bold.

 

[argie]

- Ohio Presidents
- San Diego Admirals
- Sacramento Pioners
- Denver Vipers
- San Fransisco Fury

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Ohio Aviators
San Diego Admirals
Sacramento Steamers
Denver Vipers/Stampede
San Francisco Rush/Fury

Would be my preferences.

 

[CocoPampas]

Ohio Aviators
San Diego Destroyers
Sacramento Express
Denver Vipers
San Francisco Fury

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Team names now official
Denver Stampede
Sacramento Express
San Diego Breakers
San Francisco Rush
Ohio Aviators

 

[argie]

And now we go for the logos...

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

really disappointed by the chosen names, I remember entering Mile High Rugby Club and thinking I was a genuis

 

[riffraff]

The logos should be interesting...

Will the Breakers be some kind of wave crashing on a coastline?

Will the Stampede feature horses or bison?

Will the Express be a locomotive or a rider on a horse?

Will the Rush feature a miner, nugget/pickax or something boring like the 49ers? Or maybe a rock trio with a 2112 logo?

Will the aviators be a biplane or a guy in a bomber jacket and sunglasses?

I'm curious how the colors will be used in the logos, too.

 

[Prestwick]

Can someone rename this after the actual league name? PRO Rugby

SF Rush finally living up to their potential thank god. Two wins on the bounce against Ohio and SD! M

If you want to watch any of the games so far their YouTube channel is here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_oonClThY-aB1Vhd8TFyw

There aren't any official attendance figures but apparently the average gate is about 2,500 and Doug Schoninger is saying they're breaking even at the moment so far which is encouraging.

Also, one of the reasons being cited officially as to why there wasn't a PRO Rugby team in New York was due to "exorbitant workman's-compensation insurance rates" apparently so I'm guessing if there is a "New York" team it'll be based in New Jersey...

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, also, any San Francisco Rush fans should know that we've got a fan group set up on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sfrushfans/