DALLAS – Major League Rugby, the premier professional rugby league in North America, is excited to announce NO CAP! Soda Pop as an Official Partner of Major League Rugby for the 2025 season.

The one-year partnership will place NO CAP!’s logo on all referee jerseys during the 2025 season. Additionally, the company will receive a number of on-site activation opportunities in MLR team markets through the year.

“Wellness is consistently at the front of mind as the league looks to expand its partner base, and NO CAP! shares a common mission for promoting health to its consumers,” said Danielle Bassetti, MLR Director of Partnership Marketing. “Offering zero sugar, as well as postbiotics, NO CAP! is a healthy alternative to traditional soda offerings, and we are excited to work with the company during the season.”

NO CAP! Soda Pop launched its inaugural five-flavor line of sodas in August 2024, each boasting 0 sugar, 0 caffeine and 0 calories in a 16-ounce serving. The sodas are free from aspartame, and sucralose, and the company seeks to inspire a healthier lifestyle with every sip.

About No Cap! Soda Pop

NO CAP! Soda Pop is redefining what soda can be. We’ve crafted a beverage that’s more than just a drink—it’s a statement. Each can is filled with vibrant, crisp flavors and zero sugar, setting a new standard for soda pop. Enriched with prebiotics and postbiotics, NO CAP! Soda Pop not only delivers great taste but also supports a healthier lifestyle. Step away from the past and embrace the #newschool with No Cap! Soda Pop, supported by BETR Brands as the exclusive service provider to NO CAP! Soda Pop.

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Concussion prevention has been one of the league’s major areas of focus in recent years. The concussion protocol is reviewed by the MLR Medical Committee each year to ensure players are receiving care that reflects the most up-to-date medical consensus on the identification, diagnosis and treatment of concussions.

In 2022, MLR moved from Recognize and Remove to the Head Impact Assessment (HIA). This progressed the game from permanently removing the player from the match anytime a suspected concussion occurred to providing the match and team medical staff the opportunity to perform a sideline assessment with the potential to return to play.

In 2024, Instrumented Mouth Guards (IMGs) were introduced in MLR. These smart mouthguards contain a sensor that provides an in-match alert if a player has experienced a high level of acceleration which could lead to a potential injury. This alert is received by the match day doctor so that the player can be removed for an HIA off-field.

For 2025, MLR and World Rugby have partnered to trial LED light technology for speed of recognition of an impact. The LED light will blink red which will add a visual cue for the team medical staff, referee and players to assist with early recognition that a high acceleration event has occurred.

Research has shown that continued participation in sport following a concussion potentially exposes the already injured brain to compounded neuropathophysiologic processes and can prolong the athlete’s recovery.  These equipment upgrades will allow for early recognition, and action on behalf of the medical staff, increasing player safety and shortening recovery times for athletes.

For more information, visit MajorLeague.Rugby.

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on the ESPN family of networks and streamed via ESPN+. MLR’s 11 teams span across the country in Anthem RC, Chicago Hounds, Houston SaberCats, Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby LA, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves and the Utah Warriors. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

The Rugby Network, MLR’s OTT platform, offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby, collegiate rugby and other international rugby content. 

Media Contact:
Johnathan McGinty
706.338.2732
johnathan@trestlecollective.com

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DALLAS – Major League Rugby, the premier professional rugby league in North America, is proud to announce a two-year partnership with Vitacost.com, a leading vitamin, supplement and wellness e-commerce marketplace, designating Vitacost as the Official Online Health Retailer of Major League Rugby.

Vitacost will also become a premier partner of MLR Wellness, the league’s initiative to promote physical, mental and nutritional wellness for its fans, players and stakeholders. Additionally, Vitacost will provide MLR teams with easy access to NSF Certified for Sport® and Informed Sport® supplements through their Sport Certified online experience.

“The wellness of our players and teams is critical to our league, and we strive to find new and groundbreaking ways to promote holistic health throughout,” said Lucas Reid, Chief Revenue Officer of MLR. “Vitacost advances a mission to outfit individuals across the country with natural, organic and eco-friendly products, and we are thrilled to extend those offerings to our teams, who can use these new resources to enhance the health and wellness of their players.”

Based in Boca Raton, Fla., Vitacost has spent more than 30 years supplying individuals with affordable access to vitamins, nutritional supplements, organic foods, clean beauty products and more wellness essentials. Their specialty diet offerings, free educational resources and focus on eco-friendly brands are just a few ways the company’s values closely align with ongoing MLR efforts.

“MLR’s dedication to their players’ health aligns perfectly with Vitacost’s mission to make clean, affordable supplements easily accessible to all athletes,” said Guy Burgstahler, President of Vitacost.com “Our Sport Certified marketplace makes it easy for MLR players — and all athletes — to access rigorously tested supplements with the trusted NSF Certified for Sport® or Informed Sport® certifications.”

In addition, Vitacost will create on-site activations in MLR team markets through the season as part of the partnership.

To learn more about MLR Wellness, visit majorleague.rugby/mlr-wellness/.

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on Fox Sports, among other national and local market platforms, and its OTT Platform, The Rugby Network offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches live, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Allianz Women’s Premiership Rugby, and other international rugby content. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

About Vitacost.com

Vitacost.com, Inc. is an online retailer of health and wellness products, providing an award-winning experience to customers through its website, www.vitacost.com. Vitacost.com features affordable pricing and speedy delivery on nearly 40,000 items, including dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals and herbs), hard-to-find specialty foods, organic body and personal care products, pet essentials and sports nutrition products. In addition, Vitacost.com strives to motivate, educate and inspire healthier living for customers by creating and curating thousands of helpful tips, expert articles and recipes woven throughout the shopping experience. Vitacost.com is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co.

Media Contact:

Johnathan McGinty

On behalf of Major League Rugby

johnathan@trestlecollective.com

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DALLAS – Major League Rugby, the premier professional rugby league in North America, and King & Spalding announced today a partnership that will make the international law firm The Official Law Firm of Major League Rugby.

The one-year partnership will designate King & Spalding as an official sponsor of MLR. Through the partnership, King & Spalding’s logo will be present on all referee jerseys during the 2025 season, placing the law firm on the pitch with the league’s keepers of rugby law.

“The game of rugby is defined by rules that maintain structure, order and respect for each match, so it was a natural fit for King & Spalding to join our league’s umbrella,” said Danielle Bassetti, MLR’s Director of Partnership Marketing. “King & Spalding is a law firm on an impressive growth trajectory across the globe and we are excited to welcome another partner committed to growing the game of rugby in the U.S.”

“We’re proud to partner with Major League Rugby and help promote the growth of this dynamic and fast-paced sport throughout North America,” said King & Spalding Global Human Capital and Compliance partner Amanda Sonneborn. “Rugby requires teamwork, strategy and camaraderie, which also happen to be crucial for a law firm dedicated to delivering tailored solutions to our clients’ needs.”

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on Fox Sports, among other national and local market platforms, and its OTT Platform, The Rugby Network offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches live, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Allianz Women’s Premiership Rugby, and other international rugby content. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

About King & Spalding

King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 1,300 lawyers in 24 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com.

Media Contact:

Johnathan McGinty

On behalf of Major League Rugby

johnathan@trestlecollective.com

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ESPN and Major League Rugby (MLR) have reached a multiyear media rights agreement, bringing the highest level of professional rugby in the United States to ESPN platforms. Live coverage begins on Saturday, Feb. 15 as the 2025 season kicks off with five matches (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

Under the agreement, all regular season and playoff games will stream live on ESPN+, with a select number of matches presented on ESPN2. Additionally, fans can stream replays of each match, highlights and rugby content on The Rugby Network, following a 72-hour delay. As part of the agreement, Major League Rugby will be available across Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Major League Rugby has built a strong foundation as the premier professional rugby league in North America, and we’re thrilled to be part of its next phase of growth,” said Tim Bunnell, ESPN SVP of Programming and Acquisitions. “As MLR continues to establish itself on the North American sports landscape, we look forward to bringing the league’s dynamic competition to an even wider audience.”

“During our 2024 campaign we grew our viewership by more than 25 percent year over year. We are hyperfocused on increasing our audience and introducing rugby to more American sports fans every year. This relationship with ESPN will give us an opportunity to supercharge that growth,” said Nic Benson, Major League Rugby Commissioner. “Given the depth of talent across the league, I’m confident we’re headed toward our most exciting season yet. This strategic agreement  will enable more of our fans to tune-in for some best-in-class rugby action.”

The road to the 2025 MLR Championship officially begins over President’s Day weekend, featuring 18 weeks of intense regular season action, followed by two weeks of playoffs, all leading to the MLR Championship on June 28, where the league’s best will battle for the coveted MLR Shield. This season, 11 teams from across the country will compete for the title, including Anthem RC, Chicago Hounds, Houston SaberCats, Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby LA, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves, and Utah Warriors.

The league’s new media rights agreement substantially increases the league’s visibility and enhances its reach. This move follows a 2024 season marked by growth in media coverage, ticket sales and social media engagement, including the 2024 MLR Championship, which featured a record crowd of more than 12,000 as the New England Free Jacks captured their second straight title with a victory over the Seattle Seawolves. 

“We are tremendously excited to work with ESPN on behalf of Major League Rugby,” William Mao, Octagon’s SVP Media Rights Consulting said. “Already the most-watched professional rugby league in the United States, MLR is the primary vehicle pushing the sport forward in our market. And now with a presence across ESPN platforms, the league will be even better positioned to fuel rugby fandom in the U.S. ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup.”

About Octagon Global Media Rights Consulting:

Octagon’s global media rights consulting division advises more than $26 Billion in media rights for a comprehensive collection of the world’s largest organizations in sports and media, including the NFL, MLR, MLB, NWSL, WWE, NCAA Conferences and Universities, major broadcast and streaming networks, and a variety of other properties across five continents.

As part of its expansive media rights practice, Octagon leverages the strength and size of its proprietary data, research, analytics, and technology, to provide strategic consultation to major domestic and international rights holders, as well as teams, broadcasters, emerging distribution platforms, and the sports investment community.

About ESPN:

ESPN, the world’s leading multiplatform sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, the leading sports app, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, leading social and digital platforms, ESPN.com, ESPN Audio, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

About ESPN+:

ESPN+ is the No. 1 sports streaming platform, serving fans in the U.S. with exclusive access to more than 32,000 live sports events each year, an unmatched library of on-demand replays and acclaimed original content, and premium written articles by the top reporters and analysts from ESPN.com. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $11.99 a month (or $119.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or in the ESPN App on mobile and connected devices. For more visit the ESPN+ Press Kit. 

Media Contact:

Major League Rugby:
Johnathan McGinty

706.338.2732

johnathan@trestlecollective.com

ESPN:

Lily Blum

240.821.0954
Lily.Blum@espn.com

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DALLAS (Jan. 13, 2025) – Major League Rugby, the premier professional rugby league in North America, is proud to announce the release on Prime Video of “Quest For The Shield,” a documentary that focuses on the San Diego Legion’s journey to capture its elusive first MLR title, as part of the Prime Video Direct content submission portal.

A Lane 4 Media Production, “Quest For The Shield” chronicles the franchise’s seven-year history in the league, and it culminates a multi-year effort to document every San Diego season – and postseason – through 2023. The documentary details the challenges associated with growing rugby in the U.S., chronicling the launch of MLR, the journey of the Legion and the opportunities and challenges along the way.

Culminating with the Legion’s MLR Championship Final appearance in 2023, the feature breaks down each of San Diego’s first seven seasons through the lens of its players, coaching staff, and front office. Legion icons, from Ma’a Nonu to Mikey Te’o, all played pivotal roles in building a championship-seeking culture, and “Quest For The Shield” showcases the defining moments of this West Coast side as they seek greatness.

“As a founding member of Major League Rugby, the San Diego Legion have delivered many of the most memorable moments of our league’s history, and the progress the team and MLR have made these past few years is a testament to the passion, dedication and commitment of everyone associated with the franchise,” said Justin LePera, director of the documentary. “‘Quest For the Shield’ chronicles the tumultuous and inspiring journey of the Legion, and we are excited for rugby fans across the country to take a closer look at the winding road toward an MLR title.”

The feature can be rented for $5.99 or bought for $19.99 on Prime Video. For more information about “Quest For The Shield,” please visit www.QuestForTheShield.com. To access the documentary, visit Prime Video.

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DALLAS – Major League Rugby announced today that Onrise will serve as the Official Mental Health Provider of the league. The first-of-its-kind partnership will provide the MLR community with comprehensive mental health care and support designed specifically for athletes.

Onrise’s athlete-specific resources will be accessible to MLR players, coaches and referees, spanning from peer support delivered by retired athletes, in addition to therapy, psychiatric care and 24/7/365 crisis services.

“Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness in the sport of rugby, and the mental health of our players, coaches and officials is paramount to our league’s success,” said MLR Chief Operating Officer Graeme Bradbury. “Onrise is widely known across the professional sports space, and we are excited to provide an unprecedented amount of resources for all of our league members. We look forward to continuing to grow this offering for members of the MLR community.”

The partnership complements the league’s ongoing efforts to tackle stigmas surrounding mental health. In October, the league launched MLR Wellness, an initiative that extended the league’s mental health offerings to players and fans. Since 2022, the league has partnered with LooseHeadz, an organization that strives to place a mental health lead at every rugby team and provide them with a toolkit of resources to support players’ mental fitness. During the 2025 season, LooseHeadz and Onrise will collaborate around these initiatives.

“Onrise is excited to be the Official Mental Health Provider of Major League Rugby,” said Kim Quigley, MD, CEO of Onrise. “In addition to providing mental health support to players and coaches, Onrise will also be available to MLR referees in a first-of-its-kind engagement. In a fast, physical game like rugby, players wear an armor of toughness. At Onrise, we want MLR athletes to know it’s ok to fortify that armor with tools to improve your mental wellbeing. We commend MLR’s commitment to prioritize mental health and look forward to a long and impactful relationship.”

The announcement represents a key alignment for MLR and the Major League Rugby Players’ Association (MLRPA), a step that enhances existing league mental health initiatives while also creating new service offerings, programs and resources for players to use.

“We are proud to jointly announce the strategic partnership with Onrise, a leader in athlete mental health support. This first of its kind collaboration between the MLR, MLRPA, and OnRise solidifies the shared commitment to the well-being of our players, both on and off the field. Mental health is the cornerstone of an athlete’s overall performance and quality of life, and 

through Onrise’s expert services, we are providing our players real support that they need to thrive,” said Chris Mattina, President of the MLRPA. 

“As part of this partnership, Onrise will offer comprehensive and fully confidential mental health resources, including counseling, therapy, and wellness programs tailored to the unique challenges faced by our players. This initiative is designed to foster a culture of openness, transparency, and well-being within Major League Rugby and the Players Association, creating a positive environment for all involved in the league. We recognize that the challenges of elite-level competition extend beyond physical performance, and we are committed to ensuring that mental health is prioritized as part of our ongoing efforts to support our players holistically.”

Onrise boasts a robust history of helping professional athletes and works with a number of professional teams, organizations and leagues, including Inter Miami FC, the Major League Soccer Players’ Association, USA Track & Field Athletes’ Commission, United Football League Players’ Association and Professional Women’s’ Hockey League.

For more information on Onrise, visit www.onrise.care/.

For more information on LooseHeadz, visit looseheadz.co.uk/.

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DALLAS – Major League Rugby and Macron have unveiled the new kits for all 11 teams for the upcoming 2025 season, delivering creative, fresh designs to bear for the clubs and new gear sure to engage fans in the most exciting season yet.

Macron, an influential leader in the global sports apparel space, has designed innovative and engaging uniforms that truly reflect the communities the teams represent. The kits feature distinct patterns, cultural connections and unique creative designs that showcase the ties that bind each club to their hometown.

Like all high-tech Macron sportswear, the new collections are made from Eco Fabric, a polyester material derived entirely from recycled post-consumer plastic. The main material is Eco Armevo with Eco Bodytex inserts for maximum strength and excellent technical qualities as well as lightness and breathability.The new kits convey a clear message of sustainability and respect for the environment.

Imagery of all the Home and Away kits for each team can be accessed here.

Macron also is the official apparel partner for the European Professional Club Rugby, the Scottish, Welsh and Italian National Teams and recently signed on as the official kit provider of USA Rugby.

Macron’s work with MLR and USAR is the latest instance of increased collaboration between the two organizations as they work to prepare American rugby for upcoming international competitions, including the 2028 Olympics and 2031 Rugby World Cup in the U.S.

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DALLAS – Major League Rugby, the premier professional rugby league in North America, is proud to announce its complete schedule of matches for the 2025 season.

All 11 teams will play a 16-match regular season of eight home matches and eight away matches. Teams in the Western Conference will play eight in-conference games and eight cross-conference games, while Eastern Conference teams will play up to 10 conference games, with the remainder against cross-conference squads.

“Major League Rugby is celebrating its eighth season of competition, and it comes off the heels of a historic 2024 campaign marked by growth, success and unparalleled talent,” said Nic Benson, Commissioner of MLR. “We are excited to continue the two-table format this season, which will heighten the existing rivalries between some of each conference’s foes. With the extension of many of last year’s stars and the inclusion of young talent from the 2024 MLR Draft, this season is poised to write a new page in our league’s enduring history and continue our positive trend of growing the game of rugby in America.”

Several notable early season fixtures include:

• The new-look Anthem RC, with five 2024 MLR Draft selections and rising star Sam Golla, kicks off its season on the road against the NOLA Gold on Saturday, February 15.
• In a rematch of the 2024 MLR Championship Final, the New England Free Jacks square off against the Seattle Seawolves at Starfire Sports Complex on Saturday, March 8.
• The back-to-back champion Free Jacks will play at home for the first time since hoisting the MLR Shield when they take on NOLA Gold at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, March 15.

Additionally, the playoff format will remain unchanged from the 2024 season, bringing back the Conference Semifinal Round. The top four teams from each conference will compete in the Conference Semifinal Round, with the winners advancing to the Conference Finals. The 2025 MLR Championship will feature the winners of each Conference Final, and the host venue and date will be announced at a later time.

For a complete schedule, including dates and kickoff times, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on Fox Sports, among other national and local market platforms, and its OTT Platform, The Rugby Network offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches live, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Allianz Women’s Premiership Rugby, and other international rugby content. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Johnathan McGinty

On behalf of Major League Rugby

johnathan@trestlecollective.com

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(Nov. 13, 2024) – Major League Rugby and Macron announced today the launch of a comprehensive partnership that aligns the premier professional U.S. rugby league with one of the most well-regarded sports apparel brands in the world.

Through the partnership, Macron will provide world-class apparel support for MLR, including outfitting each team with Match Kits, Training Kits, and Fanwear. It also is the official apparel partner for the European Professional Club Rugby, the Canadian, Italian, Scottish, and Welsh National Teams and recently signed on as the official kit provider of USA Rugby.

“This is a landmark agreement that will be crucial for the continued growth and progress of rugby in the U.S., uniting the two premier rugby organizations in America underneath one apparel brand,” said Nic Benson, CEO and Commissioner of MLR. “Major League Rugby and USA Rugby are leading the way in advance of the 2028 Olympics and 2031 Rugby World Cup coming to the U.S. By partnering with Macron, a global leader in creating high performance sportswear, to handle all apparel needs for our organizations, we are bringing American rugby together to grow, to compete and to win.”

Founded in Italy, Macron is an influential leader in the sports apparel space, working with various sports ranging from rugby to soccer to Padel.

“We are delighted for this important partnership because it allows us to make available to MLR our experience in a discipline in which we have been the leading brand at an international level for several years now,” said Gianluca Pavanello, CEO of Macron. “Rugby is our home, and we are happy to be able to start this exciting journey with a league that wants to grow and develop. The work we are doing in the U.S. sports market is bearing fruit, and we are enthusiastic about our progress, including our decision to open our American headquarters in Bridgeport, Ct.”

Both MLR and USAR are seeing tremendous success in growing the game in the U.S., including a record crowd of more than 12,085 for the MLR Championship at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego in August, as well as the U.S. women’s team claiming the Bronze Medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. It’s the latest instance of increased collaboration and cooperation between MLR and USAR as the organizations work to prepare American rugby for upcoming international competition. Earlier this year, the two organizations, working with World Rugby, launched Anthem RC as a new club in MLR that is designed to develop young American talent.

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