AEG announced at the World Rugby Congress and Exhibition in London that the company has formed a new division, AEG Rugby, that will expand its reach into one of the world's fastest growing sports by developing strategic partnership opportunities and programming that activate its global network of state-of-the-art stadiums and venues. Veteran int'l rugby player and former United World Sports VP Dan Lyle will serve as the division's director. AEG Chief Strategic Officer Steve Cohen said, "From both a business and participation perspective, rugby has seen unprecedented growth over the past several years both in the U.S. and throughout the world. We believe that rugby's national and international popularity will continue to rise and we see great opportunities to align our business ventures and venues with the expanding growth of the sport." AEG Rugby will be developed under the AEG Sports business unit which oversees such professional sports franchises as the NHL L.A. Kings, MLS L.A. Galaxy, DEL Eisbären Berlin and the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling stage race (AEG).
