Question:

How can rugby be more popular in the states?

by  |  earlier

0 LIKES UnLike

I've fallen in love with rugby and I want the people in the US to see how great this sport is. How can we promote this great game?

 Tags:

   Report

16 ANSWERS


  1. If americans took their best footballers (gridiron) and taught them how to play rugby you guys would have an awesome team.


  2. Most US sport is commercial - I don't think rugby will ever be anywhere as big as NFL because it doesn't have enough timeouts or ad breaks.

  3. not the answer you want, but

    sports in the USA is fueled by advertising, not ticket sales. you are going to need lots of timeouts, people are going to have to be willing to buy advertising, because they plan to make more sales of whatever they sell----cars, beer, feminine hygeine products, catsup, potato chips, toothpaste, whatever.

    then you need to have knowlegable public relations people, wealthy owners, and some good-looking stars.

  4. It would take a long time I think. The Americans love their Grid Iron, Baseball, Basketball etc too much.It's a bit the same here in New Zealand.I can't figure out Grid Iron at all.Just blocking and tackling, doesn't look very interesting. But you Yanks go wild on it.Rugby is new in the states. The only way to make it more popular;would be to have -heroes. Someone say from a Grid Iron team playing Rugby.Also a good promoter, and heaps of advertising.Maybe the sight of our Dan Carter in his Jockey ad would do the trick? For the ladies anyhow.Good Luck!

  5. just show your mates a mint video thats on youtube.com and they will be sold

    end of.............

  6. If the bigger Sports networks start showing interest in the game that will help it to grow.  It would be interesting to see how much the game would grow if someday could bring the Rugby World Cup played over here to the States.

  7. People are going to like what they like.  Encourage people to watch a game but if they don't like it - let it go.

  8. It is becoming more popular, it just is not in the media.  In the Northeast, there are plenty of teams - men's, women's, and kid's.  Very little media exposure.  I am a member of a newly formed team in div 4.  In six months, we have formed a full men's team, a partial B team, and a women's team.  We want to have a kids program in place for next season.  Word of mouth is the best way to get people out.

  9. I've never known an American you didn't love rugby when they saw it, the problem is, that's not allot of people. So long as ESPN continues to ignore rugby for such nail biting action of poker, rugby will never be seen here.

  10. You can't the NFL is like a Monopoly, and the networks that pay them billions of dollars keeps it that way, I think its time for a new sport to come to America, these guys make way too much money for just playing a sport

  11. the only way to make rugby popular in the states is to increase the appeal to younger kids

    Footballers in america are ******* and will refuse to play without pads although they think there sport is more dangerous

  12. In the US people are crazy about football which is almost like rugby but has more adrenaline rush for the fans than rugby.it my be the question of who are more daring rugby players or football players,but ane thing for sure rugby is all about skills than american football,the way one will have to monouver from all of the opponents team, making decisions with no one to keep the opponents away unlike football.give the people  a rugby ball and whole crowd chasing him or her to get the ball and tell me if that person will not come back to play and fall in love with rugby if he or she manages to beat the crowd that was chasing and rugby players have firm and cute asses,ladies let me hear you say oooh yeah!!!!!!!!!

  13. Once hockey falls there will be room for more

  14. im from the states i think its cool but if never seen a minute of it live we need teams and broadcasts of it

  15. It's very hard to change the opinions of so many by so few. When Americans hear the word "Rugby" they automatically think of a barbarian sport played by goons that drink and fight too much. Mainly due to the involvement of Frats with College/University Club teams here in the states.

    What is being done by the USA Eagles is getting the sport out to the Major Cities. I know NYC has a touch-rugby league for kids as well as Chicago. Getting them started at a younger age will bring more attention to the sport. Remeber it wasnt too long ago that Football or Soccer as its called here was hard pressed to get the numbers and now almost anywhere you go you will see a soccer pitch.

    For the advertising and media attention its hard when Setanta and other networks have cornered the market for airing such events as the world cup quals, Six Nations, super 14's and so on. Look what ESPN did for Poker and other "sporting" events.  Sure CSTV will air a college game or two but its not top-level rugby. Its not as fast a game or played as clean as the professionals or even local club teams in other countries so it doesnt have the same effect.

    What you can do is get your club/start a club and get involved with the community and staying out of trouble. Having team functions published in local papers, mentioned on local radio stations, flyers put up. Getting the word out in bars gyms schools or where ever there are people that might be interested in playing or even just watching. For a lot of people it only takes a game or two to be hooked.

    Best of luck

    Cheers

      Fullback15

  16. ** Short term ~ in order to get it off the ground ~ a comprehensive plan (identifying key personnel that are able to implement it) that involves flashy teams & experienced officials,coaches, etc with as many internationally recognised players to boost local resources as possible.  Even aim at trying to sign on top NFL players that will cause some controversy & subsequently interest in the code.  Aim to mirror the Northern Hemisphere's Club competition that is attracting top rugby players from all over the world.

    ** Long term ~ nothing will beat the hard yards of the grass roots development programme!  Get into the schools, sports clubs, etc and with a long term strategic plan in place involving paid administrators, coaches, officials and most importantly -dedicated volunteers ~ work to create a lasting interest and love for the code that will take at least a good 10-15 yrs before you begin to see real results.

    It is a fantastic sport and I am pretty certain that once the US catches the bug it will catapult rugby union ahead of all other codes on a global scale!

Question Stats

Latest activity: earlier.
This question has 16 answers.

BECOME A GUIDE

Share your knowledge and help people by answering questions.