Hi, we’re the National Rugby Football League (NRFL), the group building the leading entertainment & media company in rugby globally.
The Scrum is our monthly newsletter in which we recap the latest happenings with the league, share insights into the sports investment market, and highlight some of the biggest news in the world of rugby, both on and off the pitch.
League Progress & Happenings
NRFL Owner and Advisor Bo Jackson wrote an op-ed that was featured in Sportico. Titled "From Locker Room to Boardroom: Creating a Culture of Success," the op-ed shares tactics for cultivating an environment of achievement. Bo sheds light on the methods he is employing with his venture, Bo Jackson's Elite Sports, as well as his involvement with the NRFL. (Read More)
NRFL Managing Director Steve Ryan made appearances as a guest on three podcasts. The episodes dive into Steve’s background and what it takes to build a professional sports league.
Athletes to Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey Podcast (Listen Here)
The Athlete Entrepreneur Podcast (Listen Here)
The Wisdom Podcast (Listen Here)
Market Trends
Historically, sports have been predominantly perceived as a means of entertainment and a cultural phenomenon. However, it's only in recent years that investors have started acknowledging the economic and commercial potential that they hold. The convergence of financial prospects, entertainment allure, and the benefits of diversification has transformed the sports industry into an alluring market for investment. (Read More)Â
Athletes are transitioning into ownership roles within up-and-coming sports at an unprecedented pace. These athletes have recognized the significant impact they can wield within their respective sports. Consequently, they are eager to expand their influence into new sports arenas. (Read More)
In the recent past, notable sports organizations have attracted substantial investments from billionaires and sovereign wealth funds due to their desire for active engagement and a stable channel for wealth investment. This trend has been fueled by the exceptional growth in the valuations of professional sports franchises in North America over the last two decades. This surge can be predominantly attributed to the significant escalation in the values of media rights, ticket prices, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Moreover, the recent widespread legalization of sports betting in several states has also propelled this upward trend. (Read More)
With the continuous evolution of technology altering how sports audiences interact and consume media, the surge in connectivity has driven the expansion of niche sports within the United States. The widespread adoption of streaming media has provided passionate followers of niche sports with unprecedented access to international content. Furthermore, for enthusiasts of well-established major league sports, it has unlocked the opportunity to explore coverage of lesser-known minor leagues and alternative options that were once obscure. (Read More)
Global Rugby News
The Men's and Women's USA rugby teams have secured their spots in the 2024 Paris Olympics. This achievement follows the Men's team's victory over their North American counterpart, Canada, with a score of 24-14. This marks the Men’s National Team's third consecutive Olympic appearance. (Read More)
Twickenham has been chosen as one of the eight venues in England to host the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament will span a variety of rugby and football stadiums, culminating in the grand finale at Twickenham, which boasts an impressive capacity of 82,000 spectators. The selection of diverse venues aims to offer potential new fans the opportunity to experience top-tier sporting excitement. (Read More)
The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Paris on September 8th when the tournament hosts face New Zealand at Stade de France. It will be the 10th time that the game's global showpiece has been staged and the second time it will be held in its entirety in France. (Read More)
Want to learn more about the NRFL? Check out our website, reach out to info@thenrfl.com, or book a 1:1 meeting with us.