NEWS

Rhino Returns as Major League Rugby Partner for 2021

DALLAS (October 14, 2020) – Rhino Rugby will be returning to Major League Rugby (MLR) as the League’s Official Ball and Equipment Provider, it was announced today. Extending a partnership that began last season, MLR is excited to be partnering with one of the leading rugby brands for its official ball and technical training equipment for the 2021 MLR season.

“As the premier North American professional rugby league, we have to provide the best equipment on field for our athletes, and Rhino Rugby will make that possible again,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew. “The reputation of Rhino Rugby combined with the high quality of their equipment is the perfect match for MLR.”

Rhino Rugby will provide the Vortex Elite ball as the official MLR match balls for all 13 teams. The Vortex Elite Match ball is currently the official ball of Rugby Europe and Asia Rugby and domestically has been used in the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) the past several years. Its unsurpassed high-quality construction features Rhino’s signature Aerosensa Technology, a patented laminate that includes unique aerodynamic properties. Rhino is also providing Hurricane practice balls as well as innovative ruck and hit shields, which provide a quality element to training that does not exist with other brands and have been used in multiple Rugby World Cups.

“We are excited to partner with Major League Rugby for the 2021 season,” said Rhino Chief Financial Officer Keith Mirsky. “Rhino is committed to supplying the league with quality balls, training equipment and protective gear and fully support the League’s efforts to grow the game in the United States.”

In advance of the regular season, training camps for all MLR teams begin February 15, 2021. The fourth MLR season begins on March 20, 2021. There will be a variety of pre-season activities in each market as well as national media day where each team will provide standout players for national and international media availability. Rhino team-branded balls are available for fans and teams to purchase below.

–MLR–

About MLR

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fourth season and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2021, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, and ESPN+, among other national and local market platforms. All matches are available on Facebook Live for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit MajorLeague.Rugby.

About Rhino Rugby

For 40 years Rhino Rugby has been outfitting the world’s best rugby athletes with premier balls, equipment and apparel needed to compete at the highest level, while representing the core values of rugby; toughness, reliability, integrity, heritage and team spirit. With a proven record of delivering superior rugby products, leading universities, clubs and professional and international teams turn to Rhino for their rugby needs. Rhino was recently appointed Official Supplier to the world famous British & Irish Lions for a fourth consecutive tour – to South Africa in 2021, and has supplied England for over 25 years. Rhino has supplied match balls to the British & Irish Lions,  the PRO12,  the Super League and Global Rapid Rugby (GRR) and has supplied all training equipment and pitch kits to the Rugby World Cups in 1991,1995, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

Visit USA.RhinoRugby.com to learn more about how Rhino Rugby’s innovative balls, equipment and apparel are revolutionizing sports.