The Dallas Jackals Dissolve
September 19th, 2024 – Around Noon, turned the worst fears of Dallas professional rugby fans and fans of Major League Rugby (MLR) into reality as the Dallas Jackals dissolved operations.
The truth of the matter is that Dallas, as an original MLR member, has been on shaky ground since day 1 of MLR operations. The Dallas Griffins, alongside, the Austin Huns, Glendale Raptors, Houston Strikers, Kansas City Blues, Minneapolis, New Orleans RFS, Rugby Utah, Seattle Saracens, and OMBAC (as the San Diego Legion), joined together to form a professional league in February of 2017 to begin in 2018.
Minneapolis and Kansas City never got off the ground, but the rest either joined or spun off operations to create a professional organization to play in MLR. The Dallas Griffins had spent several seasons playing in TRU D1 but hadn’t settled or built a significant organization behind Phil Camm, who is part of the new WER (Women’s Elite Rugby, a professional women’s competition starting next year). Dallas didn’t put together a side for the 2018 season and, as Phil continued to try and find investors, couldn’t put together a deal until involving Donnie Nelson (former Dallas Mavericks GM) and Neil Leibman (Current Texas Rangers COO). The Dallas team started to come together in late 2019 with Phil Camm as GM.
The Jackals, as they became branded, were announced by then-commissioner George Killebrew to be joining MLR at the end of 2019. Well, we know what happened in 2020 with the league ceasing operations and Dallas and LA pushed back to 2021. Dallas had taken part in the 2020 Dispersal Draft of the Colorado Raptors, now American Raptors from SRA (Super Rugby Americas, formerly SLAR).
The original roster going into 2021 was led by Theo McFarland, Wian Conradie, Conrado Roura, Tim O’Malley, Chad London, Ryan James, and 1st-round pick Conner Mooneyham from the 2020 MLR Collegiate draft. Current Seattle Seawolves HC Allen Clarke was signed on to be the Jackals Head Coach for that first season.
January 19th, 2021 – The Dallas Jackals withdrew from their inaugural season. F***!!!!
Statement from first Club President Scott Sonju:
“This has been a challenging process, but we firmly believe this is the best decision for the long-term success of our team,” said Jackals President Scott Sonju. “The pandemic has obviously had a far-reaching impact on many businesses. For an expansion sports team it presents very specific challenges, from properly cultivating community and business relationships, to securing visas for international players – there are many challenges in a normal climate, let alone in the unusual climate of this past year. We know this organization is going to be highly successful. We know DFW is an important market for the league. But we also know that you only get one chance to make a first impression. After consulting with our partners and MLR Commissioner George Killebrew, we agreed introducing professional rugby to North Texas in 2022 is the right decision.”
During that time, the Dallas Jackals had received initial approval to renovate Reverchon Park in downtown Dallas with Donnie Nelson working alongside LA Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw to rebuild it into a functional professional facility with a handicap-accessible park. The neighbors of the park rejected the renovations and the deal fell through. SMH….
Dallas signed Michael Hodge as the Clarke replacement for 2022 and brought in some new talent as most had moved on after the team decided not to compete in 2021. Colorado Raptors players, a solid draft class, local TRU D1 players, and a couple of coaches ended up playing for the Jackals in an absolute disaster of a season.
March 20th, 2022 – The Jackals had a team bonding event off-site, and 9 players were injured during the collapse of a walkway. What is Happening!?
Elaine Vassie is sideline as the Head Coach because the 2022 season is fraught with Visa issues. Henry Trinder and Chris Pennell lead the team to a 0 – 16 record. YUP, so there’s that…
2023 brought a new Head Coach, Augustin Cavalieri, and new captains with Jero Vara and JP Aguirre. We also had a whole new front office with Steve Violetta as the new Team President. Time to get to know the new boss. Dallas wins their first match at home vs the Toronto Arrows who are on a downslide. Another win comes at Atlanta in May but that’s all we get.
2024 brings ANOTHER new team president with the introduction of, no one, Rodd Newhouse represented the Jackals after Steve left and now we get another owner, Bill Yates as the front man. Plus, the GM was fired, and we don’t have a GM now. What is happening?!
Well, after a historic run by the Jackals to the Western Conference finals and bowing out against an excellent Seattle side, we are left wondering what’s next for the team. Everything that could happen, has happened.
WELL, NOT EVERYTHING!!!!
The Dallas Jackals will not play rugby in 2025 and likely will not provide professional rugby entertainment to a top 4 Sports Media Market in the country going forward.
#WeBelieve
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