Utah Warriors Rugby reposted this
Heads up to the sports world, but Nic Benson and Major League Rugby are sneakin' up on people and doing some pretty amazing stuff. As the former founding Deputy Commissioner of the MLR and the present CEO of the league, Nic has been able to help build something special for rugby in the US. A few wins of note from just the past 12+ months of his CEO-ship: ▪︎Securing US media rights for both the Premiership Rugby and Premiership Women's Rugby on the MLR-owned The Rugby Network ▪︎Signing Legends to collaborate on and sell MLR partnerships and other strategic initiatives ▪︎Striking a deal with the United States Rugby Players Association allowing both the MLR and USRPA collaborative time to prepare for a future collective bargaining agreement ▪︎Negotiation and addition of two amazing ownership groups and expansion teams in Chicago Hounds Rugby and with the Miami Sharks ▪︎Navigating the unfortunate dissolution of Toronto Arrows & Rugby New York to support the affected players and staff and to protect the MLR ▪︎Creation of a new and historic MLR expansion team, Anthem Rugby, in partnership with the MLR, World Rugby, and USA Rugby (this one can't be underscored enough) ▪︎Posing next to Shaquille O'Neal at the 2023 MLR Final in one of the more awkward height-difference photos in the history of sports All of this while juggling the MLR's day-to-day operations & the diverse personalities of 24 Governors and Alternate Governors that sit on the MLR Board! Being one of those board members, I can tell you, it's not easy. Any one of the above items would be considered a "win" for the full multi-year term of a CEO or Commissioner of another US professional sports league, but Nic and the MLR have been able to achieve all of the above in a little over 12 months. And knowing what is currently in the works, there's A LOT more in the pipeline that will continue building the MLR into the league that it needs to become. Keep an eye out for more there in the coming months. 👀 👀 👀 What this league, with Nic's leadership, has been able to achieve over that short period of time, while it might not register yet on the front page of ESPN or other news outlets, is laying the groundwork for the MLR to become one of the top professional rugby competitions in the world. Something that our players, the owners, and each of the respective staff members can all be proud to have been a part of laying the groundwork for. Here's to another successful 12 months, Nic Benson (and the entire MLR team)! #Rugby #MLR #Business #USA #Utah #Sports Additional MLR Kudos: Nishant Nereyeth, Emma Black, Bill Goren (now CEO of USA Rugby), Aaron Castro, Harry Hardy, Jericho Groenland, Danielle Bassetti, Ramy Morad, Jimmy Cuddihy, Steven Lindstrom, Megan Ware and many more!
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Great to see this in the U.S. Best Sport and Community Ever.
When’s Philly getting a team?
Wow Nic Benson, amazing accomplishments, proud of you Commish.
One of the best in the Biz!
Exceptional progress in the MLR under Nic Benson! Kudos to the entire team's dedication!
WTG Nic Benson!
What an amazing read! Congrats Nic Benson Nishant Nereyeth
Help former 🏉 players drop 20kg in 12 weeks, without giving up 🍺 or Curry.
5moOnwards and upwards. It will be amazing for the game the world over if rugby becomes huge in the US.