Antoine Dupont quietly buys stake in rugby club

France captain Antoine Dupont and his company Ouest Coast have become part of the ownership group of Major League outfit, Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA).

RFCLA are currently second from bottom in the Western Conference, having won five games – the same as their first season in the MLR – after 12 rounds. They host the Miami Sharks this Sunday. Former Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano is the headline act in an eclectic squad drawn from several countries.

As an Olympic gold medal winner and former World Rugby Player of the Year, Dupont is one of the most marketable individuals in rugby. And it is hoped that his involvement will not only benefit RFCLA but also the league and American rugby in general, leading up to the two World Cups hosted by the USA in 2031 and 2033.

“Rugby is more than just a sport; it’s a community with strong values. Beyond competitive success on the pitch for RFCLA, I am excited by the opportunity to grow rugby’s popularity in the States and establish an energetic hub of rugby culture that attracts players, fans, teams, and partners from around the world,” said Dupont.

“Los Angeles is a unique place, combining the best of sports, entertainment, fashion, and culture – I can’t think of any other place that provides such opportunities for youth development, high performance, and commercial success to go hand-in-hand.”

CEO Pete Sickle said: “We feel very privileged that Antoine has chosen RFCLA as the pathway to inspire new rugby players and fans and to join us in growing a global rugby brand. He is as dedicated to expanding the rugby community as he is to competing on the pitch and his vision for integrating the athleticism and core values of rugby will prove invaluable to building a bright future for rugby in LA and throughout the US.”