The top flight’s bold plan to crack America
Why is this happening?
RUGBY UNION, just like every other professional sport, is constantly trying to broaden its appeal by reaching new audiences and new markets. Cracking the American market, dominated as it is by NFL and baseball, is the panacea for all emerging non- US sports. With a huge Irish immigrant population in and around New York, London Irish have targeted a market where they believe they can grow their supporter base.
Is it included in fans’ season tickets?
SOME fans will be annoyed that a socalled ‘ home’ game will be played on the other side of the Atlantic but the price of the ticket was not included in season ticket packages sold before the start of the season. Season-ticket holders will be eligible for a 10 per cent discount on tickets for the match. Not quite the same as a transatlantic air fare!
How many people will watch it?
THE Red Bull Arena has a capacity of 25,000 and they aim to sell at least 15,000 tickets. London Irish’s average attendance at Reading’s Madejski Stadium last season was just under 7,000. The television audience could run into millions.
How much money will they make out of this?
WITH the added logistical challenge and expense of flying a squad of players to New York, London Irish are unlikely to make a huge windfall in the
By SAM PETERS
short term. In the longer term, benefits to the London Irish brand value — and attractiveness to sponsors — could be significant.
Why is it during the Six Nations?
THE match coincides with St Patrick’s Day celebrations in New York. London Irish have traditionally achieved their biggest crowds of the season on St Patrick’s Day.
Will it be on TV?
ALL parties involved expect the match to be screened live on BT Sport with the possibility of it being made free-toair to increase interest. It is expected to be screened in the US, where Premiership rugby is already shown live. With a five-hour time difference, an early afternoon kickoff in NYC would be early evening in the UK.
Is rugby popular in America?
THERE are around 2,500 rugby union clubs in the US and 450,000 registered players. The sport is growing but it is still dwarfed by NFL, which can afford to pay player salaries bigger than in Premier League football.
Have other sports tried this?
THE Premier League famously attempted to institute a 39th game played overseas each season but backtracked after a furious outcry from fans. Saracens have already staged ‘home’ European fixtures in Belgium and there are plans for county cricket Twenty20 matches in America.