Latest news with #RachelHoman
National Post
24-04-2025
- Business
- National Post
The Curling Group plans to launch professional curling league next spring
Article content The owners of the Grand Slam of Curling series are planning to introduce a professional curling league next season. Article content Article content The Curling Group said Thursday that the 'Rock League' will debut in April 2026. The league will feature six global franchise teams competing in a multi-format six-week season. Article content 'Rock League is a reflection of The Curling Group's vision to professionalize and evolve the sport of curling, uniting fans and athletes from around the world,' chief executive officer Nic Sulsky said in a statement. 'We're building a global stage where elite play and passion for the sport collide. Article content 'Today's announcement is just the beginning with many more details to come, as we work to build a premium experience that will elevate the game for all.' Article content Specifics on player earnings, broadcast plans and event formats were not released. Details on the financial investment and cash structure were also not included. Article content The release did say that teams will be organized by region, with two each from Canada and Europe, and one each from the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. Article content There was no word on host cities but events are planned for Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Article content Each team will include five men and five women. Captains include Canada's Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs, Scotland's Bruce Mouat, Switzerland's Alina Paetz, American Korey Dropkin and Japan's Chinami Yoshida. Article content Additional athletes and team names were expected to be announced later this year. The Curling Group said it will be the initial owner of each franchise. Article content Six-time Brier champion Brad Gushue said he was approached about participating but didn't feel ready to commit, adding he felt 'there's still some questions and some uncertainty there.' Article content 'I'm hopeful that it works but I'm certainly interested to see how it's going to be marketed, how it's going to showcased,' he said from St. John's, N.L. 'I think from my standpoint, I think an important aspect is we still want the sport to be the sport. That's why people love it. I think the packaging around the sport can certainly change, but hopefully the on-ice product isn't changed too much. Article content 'Obviously every sport needs to evolve and adjust. But we get great viewing audiences for a reason. I think it's because people enjoy the game.' Article content 'There's not too many details there,' he said from Vancouver. 'I'm not sure exactly what the gameplan is. I'm curious to know more. And I guess the big thing would be what I would think is going to be enormous financial backing that's going to required to get something like that off the ground.'
Edmonton Journal
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
The Curling Group plans to launch professional curling league next spring
Article content 'Today's announcement is just the beginning with many more details to come, as we work to build a premium experience that will elevate the game for all.' Specifics on player earnings, broadcast plans and event formats were not released. Details on the financial investment and cash structure were also not included. The release did say that teams will be organized by region, with two each from Canada and Europe, and one each from the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. There was no word on host cities but events are planned for Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Each team will include five men and five women. Captains include Canada's Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs, Scotland's Bruce Mouat, Switzerland's Alina Paetz, American Korey Dropkin and Japan's Chinami Yoshida. Additional athletes and team names were expected to be announced later this year. The Curling Group said it will be the initial owner of each franchise. Six-time Brier champion Brad Gushue said he was approached about participating but didn't feel ready to commit, adding he felt 'there's still some questions and some uncertainty there.'
Vancouver Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Inaugural season of curling's 'Rock League' about to launch
Article content Rock League is ready to roll. Article content Article content What's that, you ask? Article content It's curling on a professional scale — a league to help grow the game worldwide, built by The Curling Group. Article content 'Rock League is a reflection of The Curling Group's vision to professionalize and evolve the sport of curling, uniting fans and athletes from around the world,' said Nic Sulsky, co-founder and CEO, The Curling Group. 'We're building a global stage where elite play and passion for the sport collide. The announcement is just the beginning, with many more details to come, as we work to build a premium experience that will elevate the game for all.' Article content Article content Article content At launch, the teams will be organized by region, including two from Canada, two from Europe, one from Asia-Pacific and one from the United States. Article content Where will the games be played? Article content Each week of competition will take place in a different location with plans to hold events during the inaugural season in Canada, the United States and Europe. Article content What are the rules of play? Article content Event formats for Rock League will be unveiled in the coming months. Article content Who is playing in Rock League? Article content Six captains have signed on for the first season: Article content Article content • Rachel Homan (Team Canada 1) • Brad Jacobs (Team Canada 2) • Bruce Mouat (Team Europe 1) • Alina Paetz (Team Europe 2) • Chinami Yoshida (Team Asia-Pacific) • Korey Dropkin (Team USA) Article content 'I've always believed curling could go pro — and now it is,' wrote 2025 Brier winner Brad Jacobs via social media. 'Pumped to be named a captain in Rock League, curling's first-ever professional league. Canada, let's make history.' Article content 'Proud to rep Canada as a captain in Rock League, the world's first professional curling league,' wrote 2025 world and Scotties queen Rachel Homan. 'Mixed teams. Global rivalries. One epic season, coming April 2026. Let's go.' Article content Additional participating curlers and official team names will be announced in the fall. Article content 'When picking our first-ever Rock League captains, we looked at a few key things — including leadership, how they work with teammates and, of course, their skills on the ice,' said John Morris, who doubles as strategic advisor for TCG. 'As we continue building out the teams in the months ahead, our goal is to create a one-of-a-kind experience that brings out the very best of curling — where longtime rivals might end up as teammates and rising stars have the chance to cement their legacy as professional athletes.'
Edmonton Journal
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Inaugural season of curling's 'Rock League' about to launch
Article content Rock League is ready to roll. Article content What's that, you ask? It's curling on a professional scale — a league to help grow the game worldwide, built by The Curling Group. 'Rock League is a reflection of The Curling Group's vision to professionalize and evolve the sport of curling, uniting fans and athletes from around the world,' said Nic Sulsky, co-founder and CEO, The Curling Group. 'We're building a global stage where elite play and passion for the sport collide. The announcement is just the beginning, with many more details to come, as we work to build a premium experience that will elevate the game for all.' Article content Here's a rundown of what you need to know about Rock League, courtesy of the Grand Slam of Curling and its owner, The Curling Group … What is Rock League? Rock League is the world's first professional curling league. The inaugural season will feature six mixed-gendered global franchises, each consisting of five men's curlers and five women's curlers. At launch, the teams will be organized by region, including two from Canada, two from Europe, one from Asia-Pacific and one from the United States. All franchises will be initially owned by The Curling Group. How long is the season? The season will run for six weeks beginning in April 2026. Where will the games be played? Each week of competition will take place in a different location with plans to hold events during the inaugural season in Canada, the United States and Europe. What are the rules of play? Event formats for Rock League will be unveiled in the coming months. Who is playing in Rock League? Article content Article content • Rachel Homan (Team Canada 1) • Brad Jacobs (Team Canada 2) • Bruce Mouat (Team Europe 1) • Alina Paetz (Team Europe 2) • Chinami Yoshida (Team Asia-Pacific) • Korey Dropkin (Team USA) 'I've always believed curling could go pro — and now it is,' wrote 2025 Brier winner Brad Jacobs via social media. 'Pumped to be named a captain in RockLeague, curling's first-ever professional league. Canada, let's make history.' 'Proud to rep Canada as a captain in Rock League, the world's first professional curling league,' wrote 2025 world and Scotties queen Rachel Homan. 'Mixed teams. Global rivalries. One epic season, coming April 2026. Let's go.' Additional participating curlers and official team names will be announced in the fall. 'When picking our first-ever Rock League captains, we looked at a few key things — including leadership, how they work with teammates and, of course, their skills on the ice,' said John Morris, who doubles as strategic advisor for TCG. 'As we continue building out the teams in the months ahead, our goal is to create a one-of-a-kind experience that brings out the very best of curling — where longtime rivals might end up as teammates and rising stars have the chance to cement their legacy as professional athletes.' Article content Latest National Stories
Calgary Herald
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Inaugural season of curling's 'Rock League' about to launch
Article content Rock League is ready to roll. Article content What's that, you ask? Article content It's curling on a professional scale — a league to help grow the game worldwide. Article content 'I've always believed curling could go pro — and now it is,' wrote 2025 Brier winner Brad Jacobs via social media. 'Pumped to be named a captain in Rock League, curling's first-ever professional league. Canada, let's make history.' Article content Article content 'Proud to rep Canada as a captain in Rock League, the world's first professional curling league,' wrote 2025 world and Scotties queen Rachel Homan. 'Mixed teams. Global rivalries. One epic season, coming April 2026. Let's go.' Article content Article content What is Rock League? Article content At launch, the teams will be organized by region, including two from Canada, two from Europe, one from Asia-Pacific and one from the United States. Article content How long is the season? Article content The season will run for six weeks beginning in April 2026. Article content Where will the games be played? Article content Each week of competition will take place in a different location with plans to hold events during the inaugural season in Canada, the United States and Europe. Article content Article content What are the rules of play? Article content Event formats for Rock League will be unveiled in the coming months. Article content Who is playing in Rock League? Article content Six captains have signed on for the first season: Article content • Rachel Homan (Team Canada 1) • Brad Jacobs (Team Canada 2) • Bruce Mouat (Team Europe 1) • Alina Paetz (Team Europe 2) • Chinami Yoshida (Team Asia-Pacific) • Korey Dropkin (Team USA) Article content Additional participating curlers and official team names will be announced in the fall. Article content
