MLR just signed a TV deal with ESPN.
MLS, meanwhile, is with Apple TV.
Comments?
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Mls growth was flat for years. Going to apple get them worldwide i believe with benefits.
Did you even read the article?
Where is the money that you implied in your title?
I do not see any numbers.
MLS has a $2.5B’s contract. What is the MLR number?
I love rugby. I played rugby, truly a fantastic sports. By the way I am sure the Rugby Union (15 players) fans know that the greatest rugby tournament, the Six Nations started last week. 2nd round is on this weekend on peacock. I invite everyone to tune in. You will love it.
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My title neither mentioned nor implied money.
I was suggesting that MLR’s deal was better because it gets games on ESPN2 as opposed to MLS’ Apple TV deal.
I thought we all agreed on another string that Apple TV was a bad deal for MLS.
As for Rugby, I watch Sabercats games with some regularity and attended a game in their inaugural season.
A good friend of mine was their PA announcer in Year One.
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Attended one game? What’s the matter with you? Get back in the stadium. Nothing beats a live game. As far as ratings every soccer league has a major pirating issue.
What matters do the franchise owners is the media contract/money getting back to them. Going to apple was ridiculous. That is a given.
Oh trust me.
I’d love to go to more.
But my wife already complains that I watch too much sports.
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Did you take her to the game or a U of H game? She will love it.
Oh yes.
WOW
Just when the U.S. Soccer seems to be firing on all cylinders: multiple players in European teams, with guys like Pulisic, McKinney, Pepi, etc. being stars in their respective teams…just when the World Cup will be coming to N. America…just when the MLS pulls perhaps the BIGGEST star in World Soccer (Messi)…
Rugby gets a better TV deal (eyes-wise) 
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Several MLR teams have folded in the last couple of years. The league is not financially healthy. Visibility isn’t everything, and to whatever extent it’s important, “mostly on ESPN+ with a smattering of games on ESPN2” is not exactly transformative.
Fearless prediction: MLR will be standing at least until the USA hosts the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
Hopefully, it’ll be profitable by then.
It took MLS over a decade to become profitable.
MLR hasn’t been around that long yet.
Not even in the same galaxy, no pun intended for those that gets it.
Lots on this here.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLRugby/comments/1ijaet1/espn_and_major_league_rugby_announce_multiyear/?sort=new
From memory.
Toronto, Dallas, Austin & 2 recent MLR champs NYC & LA folded. (a different team in LA now)
Current teams seem OK.
From 2023.
Huge part of teams folding.
MLR tied salary cap increases to growing the game.
Some teams did not participate & are gone.
See Dallas under the checklist.
“a. Incentive:
“Tiered additional Salary Cap allocation dependent on the number of participants” registered in a “qualified” program”
Grassroot Development Incentives - Major League Rugby(MLR,pathways%20and%20building%20community%20engagement.
Mods pls move to other sports.
Mods, please ignore Sukie and leave it here.
It won’t get as many eyes on another board.
Thanks.
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Fantastic coverage leading up to 2031 Rugby World Cup Way to move the sport of rugby in usa