Another Sports Team Closes Down: Why a Strategic Roadmap is Crucial for Survival

Two weeks ago I expressed my concerns when fans were screaming, “The next MLR team should be in city X!”  Ironically, these mutterings on social media were happening as rumors of the Jackal’s demise were swirling.  While I love the passion, I felt the need to educate and promote on the realities of MLR growth.  Two things were made clear in that blog: 1.  The MLR does not, nor should it, be in the business of planting flags in North American cities.  2.  Potential cities need to be both strategic and well funded. The rationale of both points were made clear in that post.

Once the commissioner vets that an ownership group is well funded and the new city is strategic, the league should present the group with a roadmap to Season 1 in the MLR.  Longtime listeners of the podcast know that I have been an advocate for a clearly articulated and well structured pathway,  In fact, I have gone so far to suggest that it should have been done by then Commissioner Killebrew after the Covid shutdown.  It was a perfect opportunity to have conversations with and compare experience of 5 different franchises: Toronto, New York, New England, Old Glory, and ATL (Now RFCLA).  A thorough review and deep dive into each team in conjunction with their owners, staff, and players would have illuminated some “best practices” for future ownership.

I realize that when an ownership group wants to write a check it is damn hard to pump the breaks.  Quite frankly, we don’t need more owners that are simply looking to add a shiny new toy to their portfolio.  Thus, the league needs a litmus test to gage the resolve and interest of a potential partner in the league.  Additionally, I recognize that this would not have prevented several teams from becoming a memory.  ATL and Toronto were both led by owners with both a passion for rugby and solid funding.  The demise of both teams was almost exclusively a result of their principal owner’s untimely death.  Interestingly, the legacy of both still exists, albeit in different forms.  Toronto still has an Academy team called the Arrows.  Perhaps we will see the team return to glory.  Rugby ATL has emerged from its ashes by planting a flag in LA.  While it is essentially a new team, we cannot say that it met its demise.  But, it may have prevented some of the problems that led to Gillygate and chased away a fickle ownership in the Lonestar State.

What might a road map look like?  I cannot pretend to know and understand all of the hurdles that a potential ownership group might face.  However, some significant bits come to mind: Financing, Stadium and Facilities, Medical Support, staffing, Building a Team, Marketing, Branding, and Ticket Sales.  This list IS NOT exhaustive.  But, it represents some of the major pieces in the process.  And, the process should be clearly laid out upon paying the first installment.

The MLR should put together a comprehensive calendar that each potential ownership group must follow prior to D-Day… The first official match in team history.  Working back from this point, each of the major pieces above, amongst many others, should be strategically placed on the calendar.  If these benchmarks are not met it would delay the start of the inaugural season.  A schedule of payments to the league would be built in with the $10 million franchise fee and $2 million capital call for season one completely paid by the start of pre-season.  If a group steps away from the table, the funds paid to the MLR would be non-refundable.  The league should also require a new team to play an exhibition season.  Ideally this might take place in conjunction with the MLR season prior to full participation.  This experience would provide an opportunity to bring in young Free Agents after the draft, homegrown talent, or club players from the region.  The team could play MLR academies or D1 Clubs during the exhibition season.  THINK:  New England, New York, and Toronto as they prepared for their first full season.

No doubt this may limit the total number of teams in the league.  But, that is the point.  By raising the bar to entry, the league separates players from the pretenders.  The process creates a feeling out process for both the potential ownership with the current owners.  This pathway also allows the potential team to learn from the other teams in the league by sharing what works and what doesn’t.  It forces a management team to build grassroots support with both local partners and fans.  Ultimately, it requires them to practice before they play.

Rob Hammerschmidt "The Hammer" Dean of Students

I have always had a passion for sports having played football and wrestled at an early age. I did not find egg shaped ball until a young adult. I have been hooked ever since. After my playing days were over I was always searching for an outlet to connect with the game, not too long after I became a youth coach for my son’s team. I never thought that I would start a podcast or be involved in the professional game. The Rugby Rant started as a fun outlet but has become a labor of love. It has allowed me follow the game with some great mates… whom I never would have met without it. I also have the tremendous honor of working as the Chicago Hounds sideline reporter. 8 games a season I get to walk on the grass at Dawg Town and provide folks at home with a glimpse of what it is like to be there beside me.

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