New York Ironworkers Withdraw from Major League Rugby
December 6, 2023 - Major League Rugby (MLR) News Release
A Statement from Nic Benson, CEO of Major League Rugby
We're disappointed and saddened to announce the withdrawal of the New York Ironworkers from Major League Rugby, particularly knowing the commitment and pride of its players and staff, as well as the fervent passion of its fan base.
We're deeply grateful to the team's leadership who have worked to grow the game of rugby in the U.S. and New York, striving to do so in one of the most competitive markets in the world. As always, our focus is on doing right by the Club and its players as operations wind down with an announcement about the player disbursal process to come later.
While this is unfortunate news, Major League Rugby remains strong, and the owners across the league are committed to success heading into 2024 and beyond. In the past six months, we've welcomed an expansion team in Miami, relocated a team to Los Angeles, and signed new deals with rugby organizations around the globe to expand coverage on our OTT platform, The Rugby Network. We have brought several new partners to the table in our bid to grow the game of rugby in North America.
Major League Rugby is embarking on its own positive evolution as a professional sports league. We feel for those impacted by New York's decision to withdraw, knowing it was a painful and difficult one to make. But we also remain confident in the course the league and its owners have charted, leading the way for the success of the sport in advance of North America hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2031. We remain committed to growth and look forward to a thrilling 2024 season.
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