this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2023
4 points (100.0% liked)

Major League Rugby

116 readers
1 users here now

Community to discuss US Major League Rugby.

West:

East

Rules:

  1. No spoilers in post titles or bodies! See here for how to spoiler tag in posts
  2. Posts must be US MLR focused, please use other communities for non-MLR rugby posts
  3. Be respectful
  4. No NSFW/Adult Content

Team Communities:

Non-MLR Rugby Communities:

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
baronvonj@lemmy.world
4
Former champions New York out of 2024 MLR season - Americas Rugby News (www.americasrugbynews.com)
submitted 2 years ago by baronvonj@lemmy.world to c/usmlr@lemmy.world
11 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Worst. Off Season. Ever.

New York fans are today left reeling with news that the Ironworkers have handed in their tools. The club has joined the Toronto Arrows in folding suddenly before the 2024 Major League Rugby season. A long-rumored deal to sell ownership of the club has fallen through.

Unlike Toronto and Atlanta, the demise of New York is not related to the tragic death of a majority owner. Since joining the league in 2019 as Rugby United New York, the team has gone through multiple name changes and five different home venues. None have succeeded in capturing a strong home audience.

top 11 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Statement from Nic Benson.

[–] Fridge@reddthat.com 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

What a disappointment. I had a chance to go to two of their games (each time in a different stadium). I always saw engagement from people there to be pretty good. I'm sad for them that they didn't get matching energy from a bigger portion of the community outside game day stadium attendees.

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Beyond the look of entire teams folding, it's awful for so many players to now be without a team. Like is the league going to waive salary caps to disperse all these players onto other teams. Can the other teams even afford to contract more players regardless of the cap?

[–] Fridge@reddthat.com 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I think the league would struggle to absorb one team, let alone two now. And the international-based players who had put time and money down to move themselves and possibly family to Toronto or NYC, ouch.

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I hope fans of remaining teams really turn out this season. It'll be my first as a season ticket holder (bought at the end of our 2023 season).

[–] joshourisman@hachyderm.io 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

@baronvonj @usmlr until covid I went to every single Old Glory home game, and a decent number of New York ones. I intend to keep that up as much as possible.

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Nice! Come on down for a SaberCats game if we play here and we can grab a pint! Or vice versa if I'm in DC!

[–] joshourisman@hachyderm.io 2 points 2 years ago

@baronvonj @usmlr totally! I’m excited for Old Glory’s new home field, which is much more convenient to me!

[–] joshourisman@hachyderm.io 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

@baronvonj @usmlr I’d also really like to make it to a San Diego home game. What a gorgeous stadium!

[–] js10@reddthat.com 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Ooof, this one raises eyebrows for sure. I know team volatility is expected with league that is still trying to get its feet under it, but with this and the Arrows folding before the season it makes me nervous for the league itself.

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Yeah. We need to get some reassuring news for the LA team.