MLR will double the length of its regular season, with each team playing a 16-game scheduleGETTY IMAGES
Major League Rugby will formally add two expansion teams in its second season -- N.Y. and Ontario (Toronto) -- bringing the league to nine teams. The two expansion clubs will be the first two in the Eastern Time Zone. Meanwhile, MLR will double the length of its regular season, with each team playing a 16-game schedule that will start in January instead of April. CBS Sports Network has agreed to return as the national TV partner as well, showing a weekly featured game and playoffs. Local and national digital distribution deals for ’19 are currently being negotiated. MLR Commissioner Dean Howes acknowledged some clubs need to sign better venue deals and improve ticket sales, but said all seven launch teams will return and are viable. “We’re in good shape,” he said. For the expansion teams, Rugby United N.Y. will be owned by James Kennedy, while the Ontario Arrows group is led by Bill Webb.
KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING: MLR debuted with an eight-game schedule with teams in New Orleans, Seattle, Glendale (Col.), San Diego, Austin, Houston and Salt Lake City. With one pro rugby league in the U.S. having already launched and failed in '16 and two other purported pro leagues yet to get off the ground, MLR’s progress past Year 1 has been closely watched in rugby circles. Separately, sources said, the league is in advanced discussions with clubs from Atlanta, DC and Boston to join the single entity as non-playing members who would prepare to join the league in '20. A Dallas club is already a non-playing member.
