Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Crusaders purchase stake in US pro rugby franchise

By Online Editors

The Canterbury Rugby Union has purchased a minority stake in US professional rugby team Seattle Seawolves. The Seattle franchise will compete in the newly formed Major League Rugby, a North American professional rugby competition in April.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Canterbury Union is also a majority shareholder in the Crusaders franchise, the most successful rugby club in the Southern Hemisphere with eight championships since inception in 1996.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the winning tradition of the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby joining our ownership team,” said Seawolves co-owner Shane Skinner.

“They are world class sports organizations and this partnership underscores the potential of professional rugby in America.

“The sport of rugby is a growing force in this community and around the world”, said Ralph Morton, Executive Director of the Seattle Sports Commission.  “I believe that Seattle should be in the forefront of rugby’s expansion, supporting the development of youth programs, professional teams and hosting some of the highest profile matches in the world.”

The Crusaders have expressed a desire to help the Seawolves with the expertise they possess.

“As a professional rugby club we are delighted to have the opportunity to take a small stake in the Seawolves, with our goal being to assist them with their entry into professional rugby in the US,” Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said.

“As the oldest rugby organisation in New Zealand we are excited to have secured a small stake in the future of professional rugby in the US,” Canterbury Rugby chief executive Nathan Godfrey said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We look forward to sharing our expertise of developing some of the world’s best rugby players with the Seawolves.”

“We look forward to helping where we can and supporting them in their exciting journey to be a successful professional team and club.”

The investment could be richly rewarded if the game continues to grow in the world’s largest professional sports market. The most prominent sports league in America is the NFL, which dominates Forbes annual list of the most valuable sports teams with 29 out of 32 franchises in the top 50, all valued over $1.5 billion dollars.

The MLS was founded in 1993 and continues its growth today, with the top five teams worth between $272 to $315 million according to Forbes.

ADVERTISEMENT

If the MRL gets off the ground and becomes sustainable the move could end up a very smart move by Canterbury.

The Seawolves will have their first MRL game on April 22 against San Diego Legion in Tukwila.

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough' Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough'
Search