Latest news with #RockLeague
CBC
03-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
CURLING_ROCK_LEAGUE 5 minutes ago Duration 3:46
A planned new curling league, Rock League, is aiming to launch in April 2026. Three-time Canadian Olympic curler and Rock League special advisor John Morris catches up with the CBC's Acton Clarkin to share early details.
CBC
29-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada up against 'stacked field' in quest for playoffs at mixed doubles curling worlds
At the end of three days of mixed doubles curling inside Fredericton's Willie O'Ree Place, one team stood alone above the rest. Only the reigning Olympic champions in mixed doubles, Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, had yet to lose a game. That came after storming back to defeat the Canadian team of Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant 7-5 on Monday evening, a comeback that Italy secured by tying the game in the seventh end and pulling ahead by two in the final end. It was the Canadians' second game of the day, after defeating the Netherlands 7-3 on Monday morning. You could hear a pin drop inside the arena as the last red Canadian rock slid down the ice, followed by applause for the home team. "We battled right to the end," Gallant told CBC Sports. "She made a beautiful runback on her last shot and left us with a really tricky draw. But we knew it was going to be a battle tonight and we've just got to dust that one off and come back tomorrow." Canada ended Monday tied with Scotland and Sweden, all teams with a 4-1 record, behind Italy in Group A. In the second group, all of Australia, Estonia, Japan, Norway and the United States registered one loss atop the pool. Only the top three teams from each group will advance to the playoffs. That so many teams are in the running is a sign of the depth of the field, something that's only grown since mixed doubles was added as an Olympic discipline in 2018. "It's a stacked field," said Sweden's Anna Hasselborg. "Four of our teams [in Group A] could easily be medalling at the Olympics. It's going to be a really tough week because there's a lot of top teams." The stakes are high. Olympic qualification points will be awarded based on how teams finish. The points earned this year and at last year's world championship will combine to determine which countries go to Italy next February. Based on those points, the top seven countries (behind the automatically-qualified host country, Italy) will earn berths. The final two spots will be determined at a last-chance qualifying tournament later this year. The Canadians had to quickly shake off the loss on Monday evening. As the arena emptied, the married couple of Peterman and Gallant took some time to see their families, including their toddler son. Then, it was back on the ice to practice ahead of a Tuesday afternoon game against Korea. Beyond Olympic qualification, the team is vying to win Canada's first world championship in mixed doubles curling. "We know that every game, we have to bring our best," Peterman said. "There's no easy games in our pool. We know we're ready to battle for each game." Excitement for a new pro league Days before the mixed doubles world championship began, The Curling Group announced plans to launch a professional curling league that will begin play next April. The owners of the Grand Slam of Curling series have said the Rock League will include six franchises featuring curlers from across the globe facing off in "a multi-format competition" over six weeks. The teams are organized by region, including two from Canada (one captained by Rachel Homan and the other by Brad Jacobs), two from Europe (one led by Switzerland's Alina Pätz and the other by Scotland's Bruce Mouat), one from Asia-Pacific (captained by Chinami Yoshida of Japan) and an American team, which will be led by Korey Dropkin. Each team will include 10 curlers: five men and five women. The league is part of The Curling Group's "vision to professionalize and evolve the sport of curling" and could transform the sport. For one, curlers will be paid a salary in addition to any prize money. Exact financial details haven't been released. The idea of earning a salary is something Pätz, who is competing this week at the mixed doubles world championship, has only been able to dream about. "We usually use the sponsor money to pay the expenses for travel and everything," she said in an interview. "If we have something left at the end of the year, that's basically our salary for now. To have a guaranteed salary for six weeks, that's just something totally new for me and so exciting." She also hopes it will continue to grow the sport and attract fans in a new way. Scotland's Mouat, who's in Fredericton this week looking for his second world championship of the season, after winning with his four-man team, signed on as a Rock League captain with the idea of showing younger curlers that the sport can be a full-time job. Other curlers are waiting to find out more about how the league might work. "They're certainly interested in growing the game and they're putting a lot of effort into building these leagues up," Gallant said. "I'd love to see what happens." More details, including team names, locations and full rosters, are expected to come this fall. "There are still things that they can't disclose yet, just because they're still trying to figure it all out," Mouat said. "But I think once all the teams are signed on and established, then a lot of excitement will be happening from the athletes, which will then resonate to the fans."
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.'
San Francisco Chronicle
24-04-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
New pro curling league scheduled to start in 2026 with hopes of prolonging the Olympic spotlight
Curling is getting its first professional league, stocked with past and future Olympians competing in a six-week, six-team season touring internationally starting next April in the aftermath of the Milan-Cortina Olympics. The Curling Group, which owns the Grand Slam of Curling event series, announced the creation of Rock League on Thursday. The six-week circuit will include stops in Canada, the United States and Europe, where six teams of five men and five women each will play a variety of formats to be determined. 'As an athlete, I could have only dreamed about being able to participate in a professional curling league,' said Jennifer Jones, a 2014 Olympic gold medalist who is an adviser to the league. 'Now, having the opportunity to help make that dream a reality for the next generation of curlers is a true honor – and it's what inspires us every day as we work to build this league.' There will be two teams apiece from Canada and Europe, one from the United States and one from Asia. Among the athletes signed up as captains are Olympic medalists Bruce Mouat of Scotland, Brad Jacobs of Canada and Chinami Yoshida of Japan. Korey Dropkin, a world mixed doubles champion who would represent the U.S. at the 2026 Games, will captain the American team. Canadian Rachel Homan and Alina Paetz of Switzerland, both two-time Olympians, are the other captains. John Morris, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and adviser to the league, said the captains were chosen based on leadership, ability to work with teammates and curling skill. '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,' he said. ___
Toronto Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
The Curling Group plans to launch professional curling league next spring
Published Apr 24, 2025 • 3 minute read Scotland skip Bruce Mouat sweeps a stone as Canada's Brad Jacobs, Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert look on at the BKT World Men's Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Sask., on Monday, March 31, 2025. Photo by Chris Young / The Canadian Press The owners of the Grand Slam of Curling series are planning to introduce a professional curling league next season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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. '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. '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. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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. '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.' World Curling Hall of Famer Warren Hansen, a former Curling Canada event operations director, said the news left him with more questions than answers. '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.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Elite curlers generate income from team sponsorships and event earnings, but many also juggle regular jobs with their athletic pursuits. Curling greats John Morris and Jennifer Jones will serve as strategic advisers for the new league and help with the creation and selection of the teams and formats. '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,' Morris said in a statement. The new league would start at the end of the traditional season for the next campaign. Several events have unusual dates given that the 2025-26 season includes the Winter Olympics on its calendar in February. The final stop on the five-event Grand Slam schedule, the Jan. 6-11 AMJ Players' Championship, is being held four months earlier than normal. That competition has been moved from its longtime home in Toronto to Steinbach, Man. The Canadian women's curling championship will conclude the week before the Games while the Montana's Brier will begin the week after. The women's world championships are set for mid-March and the men's playdowns will wrap up on April 5. Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Toronto Maple Leafs Federal Elections Ontario
