New American rugby set to be launched with HUGE financial backing

New American rugby set to be launched with HUGE financial backing

A group of American investors are promising to revolutionise rugby, the Telegraph has revealed.

The plan by the investors includes the recruitment of some of the world’s biggest names to a new league in the United States with Hilton Houghton, who represents South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, up in the mix.

 

 The National Rugby Football League, which has ties to the NFL, is set to be launched in 2022 with a salary cap equivalent to Premiership Rugby’s £7million limit. “Our ambition is to be the biggest league in the world,” Michael Clements, the NRFL commissioner, told Telegraph Sport. 

“Our goal is to put the best product on the pitch so we will need some of the best athletes, whether or not they are the names you mentioned I can’t say.”, Clements said when asked whether the likes of Maro Itoje or Beauden Barrett would feature on their shopping list.


The NRFL has already established a relationship with leading rugby agent Hilton Houghton, who represents Siya Kolisi and several other Springbok stars. “They want to make it the Hollywood of rugby,” Houghton said. “They are determined to create something special. This won’t be a dumping ground for international players. It will be more like the IPL players where you bring a Ben Stokes or AB De Villiers as your sprinkling of stardust on top of largely domestic squads.”

The NRFL season, featuring eight teams will run from April to July to fill the void left during the NFL’s off-season. Clements believes the 16-game season will act as a powerful incentive for players who otherwise face the slog of an 11-month season. 


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