NEWS

Major League Rugby Received Expansion Bid from Hawai’i Ownership Group

The League has entered into an exclusive negotiating period and awaits expansion terms to be met from Kanaloa Hawai’i group.

DALLAS (July 9, 2020) – Major League Rugby (MLR) received an expansion bid from Kanaloa Hawai’i and the initial application for membership has been accepted. The League and the Hawai’i group have now entered into an exclusive negotiating period to finalize terms and meet the League’s expansion benchmarks before being ratified by a board vote to be formally admitted as an MLR member.

MLR received and reviewed thorough plans presented for a team in the Hawai’i market. The group of professionals developing the opportunity are extremely knowledgeable and experienced. They have developed and presented an in-depth approach that ingrains the rich rugby history in Hawai’i and MLR can confirm that this has the potential to become a strong and unique market within the League.

During the exclusive negotiating period Kanaloa Hawai’i must meet the set expansion terms, including the expansion fee. If all terms are met, the team would be formalized and ratified by a board vote and Kanaloa Hawai’i would become the 14th member for the 2021 MLR season.

The disclosure of Kanaloa Hawai’i’s bid and path to become an expansion team represents a new period of increased competition information released from the League. Fans can expect more insight into MLR competition leading into the 2021 season. Stay tuned at MajorLeague.Rugby and @USMLR social channels for further information on team movements, player allocations, and competition developments.

###

Press Contact

Alicia Richardson

MLR Marketing Manager

arichardson@usmlr.com