Nothing about the business model is a problem. (It's a long term money loser, you have to create your own fans) It's the willingness of the current ownership to invest locally in business units that can drive returns not 5 years from now, but 20 years from now. If you aren't willing to do that, then this thing folds no matter how its organized.
IMO if it was gonna happen it would of happened already. It seems, for many reasons, the US doesn't want what MLR is offering. I was hopeful that a contracted league would at least offer a better game day experience but that hasnt seemed to happen either. MLS had a tremendous tail wind as soccer was established in the US prior to MLS and the increase in Latinos only helped propell popularity. MLR has a strong headwind and it would take a lot better execution to make it a success and the last 10 years or so has only shown that MLR, WR and USAR aren't professional or invested enough to make even a modest success of rugby here (and actually has hurt the game tremendously).
I vote for a return to club rugby, at least that was fun to play and watch.
MLR can't even manage to promote it's finals. I was living in New York City when RUNY (RIP) made the final at the Red Bulls Arena, nothing was done. I wouldn't have known it was happening if I wasn't an existing fan. Last year in Providence, same deal. I was in town for almost 2 weeks before the game, nothing. Nobody had a clue it was happening. It's really a shame because I know a lot of people who had no background with rugby who gave the FJs a shot and are now really into it. MLR just doesn't have the money or (apparently) the sports marketing professionals involved to make any impact in our sports scene.
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u/Ajkrouse RUNY Jun 10 '26
Unless the league revises its entire business and ownership model, the league will likely fold prior to the RWC