ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

After just one season, the future of PRO Rugby in the USA is uncertain

BY davidharper  ·  Friday Jan 6, 2017

With a second year of PRO Rugby in America still up in the air, we address a few of the issues and challenges it has faced, and take a quick look back with a video highlighting the best plays from the inaugural season.

It’s safe to say that there have been some serious growing pains for America’s maiden professional rugby competition. With one team – San Francisco – now defunct, there are some rather stinging accusations coming from both sides that contracts and sanctions have not been honoured. 

Players, announcers, and even vendors are claiming they are owed thousands of dollars from PRO Rugby CEO Doug Schoninger. Some have gone so far as to file suit in small claims court.

Former All Black Mils Muliaina, formerly of San Francisco, is claiming to still be owed $20,000 from Schoninger. Muliaina also had some particulary strong words for the setup overall:

“There was a lot said that they didn’t provide… I really actually felt for the people, they were really trying hard to make something like this… Unfortunately, in this instance you’ve got some really bad people trying to run something that they don’t know how to run.”

For his part, Schoninger takes exception to the overall attitude of some of his players, Muliaina specifically. According to his interview with Rugby Wrap Up, he claims that Muliaina showed up later than originally agreed upon, played a couple of games, then left without leave to go back to New Zealand for a week. 

He also states that Mils was claiming to be injured and, per disability laws in the United States and the state of California, the $20,000 is being filed through disability.

Schoninger also took exception to numerous players participating in unsanctioned events they claim to have had permission to attend. He claims otherwise and that he and former USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville had a signed sanctions agreement.

Apparently, things have never been smooth between USA Rugby and PRO Rugby, to say the least. According to this interview, Melville never attended any PRO Rugby matches and only one match was attended by the US Eagles head coach.

Conditions escalated further when PRO Rugby effectively blamed USA Rugby in invoking their Voluntary Termination clause (section5(b)). Of course, USA Rugby categorically denied all accusations.

As the finger pointing and internet exchanges continue, one could assume these are the kinds of issues that may potentially arise at the outset of any professional league. However, the future does not look particularly bright as the news emerging continues to be more and more unsettling. 

It remains to be seen when, or even if, there will be a second season for PRO Rugby. Schoninger claims they are here to stay and that he’s already lined up another squad to replace San Francisco. 

Continued rugby growth in the states seems forever just one bounce away. Here’s hoping things can come together and vastly improve at all levels to actually see this dream fulfilled.

Credit: PRO Rugby

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 77 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 259 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 262 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All