The Pro12 "dream of getting an American team on board has received high-powered backing from the other side of the Atlantic," according to Andy Howell of WALES ONLINE. USA Rugby Chair Bob Latham admitted that "obstacles would have to be overcome but is keen to explore the possibility of an East Coast franchise being set up to play in the league against the four Welsh regions." Pro12 bigwigs "see north America as a route to generating more broadcasting and sponsorship revenue in a bid to rival the cash-laden French Top 14 and Aviva Premiership for popularity and financial clout." They "want to use the lure of Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster to tap into the large Irish communities on the eastern side of the States." Going Stateside "is expected to be discussed by the chief executives of the Pro12 teams, which include Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, during a round of meetings taking place in London this week." The idea "has been greeted with enthusiasm by Latham," who said, "We’re certainly very interested but we need to take a realistic look at the feasibility of it and we haven’t crossed that fundamental step yet." Irish Rugby Union CEO Philip Browne "believes a Pro12 team could be established quickly in the U.S." He said, "The one thing we can bring to bear, as four unions (Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland), is if you operate a franchise model we can provide the coaches, we can provide the administrative expertise. We can do what is needed to get a franchise up and running pretty quickly. ... What we need is a good team working in a market that has commercial opportunities for us" (WALES ONLINE, 7/28). ESPN.com's Tom Hamilton wrote Latham "believes the East Coast would be the natural fit for a potential franchise." Latham said, "I'm not sure if we have any preconceived notions over how best to make it happen. There will be travel issues so the East Coast makes sense but if you look at the timing of the Pro12 competition, it can be difficult to play in the North East part of the USA at that time of year" (ESPN.com, 7/27).
