Latest news with #NOLAGold
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
NOLA Gold Rugby calls it quits for 2026
Just a year after hosting its first home playoff game, the NOLA Gold announced the team wouldn't participate in Major League Rugby in 2026. Why it matters: It's a loss for New Orleans sports fans and raises a significant question about the future of the Shrine on Airline stadium. The big picture: Founded in 2017, the NOLA Gold participated in the U.S.-based Major League Rugby, which has been rattled in the past couple of weeks as Miami's team also shuttered and two teams in California merged. A Utah team is also seeking additional investment, The Guardian reports. The shakeup, according to the newspaper, likely concerns officials with World Rugby, who look to host the 2031 men's and 2033 women's rugby World Cups in the U.S. Zoom in: A top MLR official boasted about the sport's U.S. growth in New Orleans last summer while celebrating the NOLA Gold's home playoff game. Average stadium attendance was up 29% since 2021, MLR said at the time. The intrigue: It's not exactly clear what led the Gold to close up shop. While an end-of-season statement in June acknowledged "challenges" and "growth opportunities," it offered optimism and a promise for "a detailed roadmap for the 2025-2026 season and beyond." The team could return to the MLR in the future, The Guardian reported, and the Gold's statement announcing it would not participate in 2026 said the team had ongoing discussions with the league about its future. Between the lines: At least one Gold staffer found a new role: Former NOLA Gold general manager Ryan Fitzgerald heads to Loyola University, the school announced, where he'll oversee the development of women's and men's teams. What we're watching: The Gold's departure leaves a gap in programming for the 10,000-seat Shrine on Airline, which The Times-Picayune reports is about to undergo a yearlong, $30 million renovation.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Rugby in US suffers another blow as second team in a week exits MLR
Major League Rugby was reduced to eight teams on Wednesday by the withdrawal of the Miami Sharks, just a week after a founding team quit the competition and two California teams merged. Miami and MLR did not immediately comment but multiple league sources confirmed that the Sharks' withdrawal after two years in the league was finalized on Tuesday. The Guardian understands that a request to withdraw for 2026 before a potential return in 2027 was rejected by team owners – NOLA Gold, the team that announced its exit last week, having sought a similar arrangement. NOLA and Miami could reapply to play in 2027, the Guardian was told. Last week, after NOLA's exit and the merger of San Diego Legion and RFC LA, it was widely reported that the league could yet fall to just seven teams, the number that kicked off the competition in 2018. Utah Warriors, like NOLA and San Diego founding MLR members, are seeking new investment – a process CEO Kimball Kjar last week told the Guardian was 'a heavy lift' but going well. Kjar expressed confidence in Utah continuing to play. MLR commissioner Nic Benson said he thought the league could continue if reduced to just seven teams. News of Miami's exit will concern executives at World Rugby, which has placed the men's World Cup in the US in 2031, followed by the women's event in 2033. Last month, speaking to reporters in Washington DC, World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said the governing body 'believed … there needs to be a domestic professional league in the US that's growing and thriving [and] we want MLR to be that'. Gilpin also indicated an openness to talks with international interests seeking to plant teams on US soil, including Super Rugby, the United Rugby Championship and the mooted R360 breakaway project. On Wednesday, the Guardian sought comment from Benson, Miami CEO Milagros Cubelli, and players' representatives. Miami entered MLR in 2024 and reached the playoffs for the first time this year, losing the Eastern Conference Semi-Final to New England Free Jacks, who went on to win their third successive title. There was an immediate irony in news of Miami's MLR exit. Just two days earlier, Cubelli — the sister of Miami and Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli — was named MLR Major League Rugby Executive of the Year. In comments released by the league on Monday, Cubelli said: 'We are a new team at a starting level, so you have to be smart in how you use your resources. 'I have a strong background in entertainment and production, so I think I brought this experience to the Sharks to have a good gameday experience and an interesting, attractive brand. I'm proud and very happy. And I love to win.' Cubelli also said sponsorship was 'one of the big successes of 2025', as the Sharks 'grew sponsorship revenue to almost 20%' 'There's a professional rugby team in Miami that is doing things well, that is eager to share the fun of this sport with the people in the community,' she added. 'The doors are wide open.' On Wednesday afternoon, the Miami website still advertised 'Season 2026' as 'Coming Soon'. 'Come enjoy the Sharks experience,' it said. Martin Pengelly writes on Substack at The National Maul, on rugby in the US.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rugby in US suffers another blow as second team in a week exits MLR
Major League Rugby was reduced to eight teams on Wednesday by the withdrawal of the Miami Sharks, just a week after a founding team quit the competition and two California teams merged. Miami and MLR did not immediately comment but multiple league sources confirmed that the Sharks' withdrawal after two years in the league was finalized on Tuesday. Related: 'Pretty dark right now': Major League Rugby reels as two more teams face funding crunch The Guardian understands that a request to withdraw for 2026 before a potential return in 2027 was rejected by team owners – NOLA Gold, the team that announced its exit last week, having sought a similar arrangement. NOLA and Miami could reapply to play in 2027, the Guardian was told. Last week, after NOLA's exit and the merger of San Diego Legion and RFC LA, it was widely reported that the league could yet fall to just seven teams, the number that kicked off the competition in 2018. Utah Warriors, like NOLA and San Diego founding MLR members, are seeking new investment – a process CEO Kimball Kjar last week told the Guardian was 'a heavy lift' but going well. Kjar expressed confidence in Utah continuing to play. MLR commissioner Nic Benson said he thought the league could continue if reduced to just seven teams. News of Miami's exit will concern executives at World Rugby, which has placed the men's World Cup in the US in 2031, followed by the women's event in 2033. Last month, speaking to reporters in Washington DC, World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said the governing body 'believed … there needs to be a domestic professional league in the US that's growing and thriving [and] we want MLR to be that'. Gilpin also indicated an openness to talks with international interests seeking to plant teams on US soil, including Super Rugby, the United Rugby Championship and the mooted R360 breakaway project. On Wednesday, the Guardian sought comment from Benson, Miami CEO Milagros Cubelli, and players' representatives. Miami entered MLR in 2024 and reached the playoffs for the first time this year, losing the Eastern Conference Semi-Final to New England Free Jacks, who went on to win their third successive title. There was an immediate irony in news of Miami's MLR exit. Just two days earlier, Cubelli — the sister of Miami and Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli — was named MLR Major League Rugby Executive of the Year. In comments released by the league on Monday, Cubelli said: 'We are a new team at a starting level, so you have to be smart in how you use your resources. 'I have a strong background in entertainment and production, so I think I brought this experience to the Sharks to have a good gameday experience and an interesting, attractive brand. I'm proud and very happy. And I love to win.' Cubelli also said sponsorship was 'one of the big successes of 2025', as the Sharks 'grew sponsorship revenue to almost 20%' 'There's a professional rugby team in Miami that is doing things well, that is eager to share the fun of this sport with the people in the community,' she added. 'The doors are wide open.' On Wednesday afternoon, the Miami website still advertised 'Season 2026' as 'Coming Soon'. 'Come enjoy the Sharks experience,' it said. Martin Pengelly writes on Substack at The National Maul, on rugby in the US.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Rugby in US suffers another blow as second team in a week exits MLR
Major League Rugby was reduced to eight teams on Wednesday by the withdrawal of the Miami Sharks, just a week after a founding team quit the competition and two California teams merged. Miami and MLR did not immediately comment but multiple league sources confirmed that the Sharks' withdrawal after two years in the league was finalized on Tuesday. The Guardian understands that a request to withdraw for 2026 before a potential return in 2027 was rejected by team owners – NOLA Gold, the team that announced its exit last week, having sought a similar arrangement. NOLA and Miami could reapply to play in 2027, the Guardian was told. Last week, after NOLA's exit and the merger of San Diego Legion and RFC LA, it was widely reported that the league could yet fall to just seven teams, the number that kicked off the competition in 2018. Utah Warriors, like NOLA and San Diego founding MLR members, are seeking new investment – a process CEO Kimball Kjar last week told the Guardian was 'a heavy lift' but going well. Kjar expressed confidence in Utah continuing to play. MLR commissioner Nic Benson said he thought the league could continue if reduced to just seven teams. News of Miami's exit will concern executives at World Rugby, which has placed the men's World Cup in the US in 2031, followed by the women's event in 2033. Last month, speaking to reporters in Washington DC, World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said the governing body 'believed … there needs to be a domestic professional league in the US that's growing and thriving [and] we want MLR to be that'. Gilpin also indicated an openness to talks with international interests seeking to plant teams on US soil, including Super Rugby, the United Rugby Championship and the mooted R360 breakaway project. On Wednesday, the Guardian sought comment from Benson, Miami CEO Milagros Cubelli, and players' representatives. Miami entered MLR in 2024 and reached the playoffs for the first time this year, losing the Eastern Conference Semi-Final to New England Free Jacks, who went on to win their third successive title. There was an immediate irony in news of Miami's MLR exit. Just two days earlier, Cubelli — the sister of Miami and Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli — was named MLR Major League Rugby Executive of the Year. In comments released by the league on Monday, Cubelli said: 'We are a new team at a starting level, so you have to be smart in how you use your resources. 'I have a strong background in entertainment and production, so I think I brought this experience to the Sharks to have a good gameday experience and an interesting, attractive brand. I'm proud and very happy. And I love to win.' Cubelli also said sponsorship was 'one of the big successes of 2025', as the Sharks 'grew sponsorship revenue to almost 20%' 'There's a professional rugby team in Miami that is doing things well, that is eager to share the fun of this sport with the people in the community,' she added. 'The doors are wide open.' On Wednesday afternoon, the Miami website still advertised 'Season 2026' as 'Coming Soon'. 'Come enjoy the Sharks experience,' it said. Martin Pengelly writes on Substack at The National Maul, on rugby in the US.
Hamilton Spectator
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
NOLA Gold folds, two California teams join forces in Major League Rugby shuffle
Major League Rugby, which operated with 11 teams this season, is down to nine. NOLA Gold, based in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, said Wednesday it will not be part of the pro rugby league in 2026. Earlier Wednesday, the San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFC LA) announced they will join forces and compete in the league next season as the California Legion. The new franchise will host matches across San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County, 'solidifying the new club's vision of becoming a representative of professional rugby in California.' NOLA Gold and San Diego have been part of the league since its inaugural season in 2018. RFC LA started life as Atlanta's Rugby ATL, relocating to California for the 2024 season. Other teams that took part in the league this season were the champion New England Free Jacks, Chicago Hounds, Old Glory DC (Washington, D.C.), Miami Sharks, Anthem RC (Charlotte, N.C.), Utah Warriors, Houston SaberCats and Seattle Seawolves. The league started with seven franchises (including Houston, Seattle and Utah) with original teams in Austin and Glendale, Colo., subsequently folding. The Toronto Arrows, Rugby United New York, L.A. Giltinis and Dallas Jackals also came and went. Toronto joined the league in 2019 but folded in November 2023 after the death of president and general partner Bill Webb. The NOLA Gold roster this season included Canadians Cooper Coats, Tyler Matchem and Callum Botchar while Andrew Coe, Matt Heaton and Conor Young were with RFC LA. NOLA Gold, which finished fifth in the six-team Eastern Conference at 4-12-0, announced its withdrawal from the league in a pithy statement on its website. 'NOLA Gold has informed the league that we do not intend to participate in the 2026 season. Discussions are ongoing with the League regarding future opportunities and potential pathways forward.' MLR CEO Nic Benson, meanwhile, said the new California team 'will build and connect rugby communities to elevate the game in Southern California.' 'We look forward to working with new ownership groups to align, grow rugby statewide,' he added in a statement. Canadian players have found a home in the MLR, with 16 Canadians in New England's squad alone this season. Canadians Andrew Quattrin, Piers von Dadelszen, Cam Nordli-Kelemeti, Ben LeSage and Brock Webster started for the Free Jacks in their 28-22 win over the Houston SaberCats on June 28 to claim their third straight MLR championship. Webster, who played a key role in two of the New England tries, was named player of the match. Canada captain Lucas Rumball and fellow Canadians Matt Owuru, Jason Higgins and brothers Mason and Noah Flesch play for the Chicago Hounds. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
